Isles supporting one another

Players get through work-isolation as a team

The Charlottetown Islanders loved playing in Charlottetown, but there is a sense of excitement surrounding the ability to play their post-season in a bubble in Quebec.

The team has been workisolating on the Island since February. For about 100 days, they have gone to the rink for practice or a game and back to their billet homes. No going over to a teammate or friend’s home or going to get a coffee.

Now they will get a chance to be together in a hotel in Shawinigan, Que., to begin their quest for the President

Cup as Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champs.

“It’s going to be fun,” said defenceman Oscar Plandowski. “It’s going to be like when I was a little peewee player going to the Spud to play games.”

Veteran goalie Colten Ellis also said it reminded him of his minor hockey days.

“You get to be at the hotel 24-7 with all your teammates,” he said.

The team will still be in a bubble in Shawinigan, but they will be able to spend time together at their hotel.

“We’re mature enough to know that we’re not there to be tourists. We’re there to play hockey,” said forward Cédric Desruisseaux.

Head coach Jim Hulton said there was a “giddiness” around the room when the format was announced.

“There’s been a lot of loneliness and a lot of time apart,” he said, referring to the work-isolation.

Despite being apart more than in other seasons, captain Brett Budgell said it has brought the team closer together.

“I think with all the isolation and everything that we’ve had to go through this year, this group has grown really close together,” he said. “I think every guy was going through the same thing. We could just relate so much to each other.”

Ellis said that bond has made them a better team.

“Everybody enjoyed just being around each other in the room and that was a big part of our success this year,” he said. “Everybody came to the rink with the right mindset every day and just worked together towards a common goal.”

Hulton is impressed by the team.

“It’s a special group. This type of group, with this singular focus, doesn’t come along very often.”

Coaches often wonder how their team will handle playoff adversity. Hulton isn’t one of them this spring.

“I already know,” he said. “I can tell you right now this group will come through with flying colours because they’ve face innumerous obstacles and adversity already this year. They’re certainly battle-tested.”