An evening for the fans

Cape Breton Eagles to celebrate past, present as part of team’s Fan Fest

SYDNEY — A flashback to the past and a look at the present and future of the Cape Breton Eagles will be on display tonight in Sydney.

The local Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team will host its inaugural Fan Fest event for fans of the Sydney-based team as part of activities surrounding the league’s annual entry draft.

The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Big Fiddle at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion with several activities planned.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet Eagles alumni James Sheppard, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Logan Shaw as well as the first overall pick Tomas Lavoie, who was selected at the QMJHL Entry Draft on Monday. Autograph sessions will also be available.

“Community is at the core of our values and the Fan Fest is one way to share exciting news with our fans, the most important member of our team,” said Lindsey MacIntosh, Eagles’ general manager of business operations.

“It’s important to celebrate the past, present and future as part of our go-forward plan, strengthening alumni relations and engaging with the community are key areas of focus.”

Sheppard, 34, played three seasons with the Eagles from 2004 to 2007 after being selected first overall at the 2004 QMJHL Entry Draft. He later went on to be picked No. 9 overall by the Minnesota Wild at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and played seven seasons in the league between the Wild, San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers.

The Lower Sackville, N.S., product has since taken his talents to Switzerland, Germany and most recently Austria, where he recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Vienna Capitals.

Shaw, 29, suited up for the Eagles for three-and-a-half seasons between 2008 and 2012 after being picked No. 12 overall by the club at the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft in Sydney. He was later picked in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.

The Glace Bay native has played five seasons in the NHL between the Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets, and is currently part of the Ottawa Senators organization. He’s spent a portion of his career in the American Hockey League.

Dubois, 24, dressed for the Eagles for two-and-a-half seasons after being picked fifth overall by the club at the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft. He was the third overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

The Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Que., product has played five seasons in the NHL between the Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets. He's currently with the Jets organization.

Prior to Fan Fest, the QMJHL Entry Draft will also take place today with Rounds 2-14 and the American draft slated to begin at 10 a.m. Atlantic time.