Islanders Top-10: Craig Foster’s Picks
October 3, 2022 – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – Charlottetown Islanders News Release
As the President of Operations since the 2nd season of the Islanders, I have had to pleasure to see a lot of great players wear the Islanders uniform. This is my top 5 list of personal favourite players in our team’s history:
#5 Ryan MacKinnon
Ryan was named team captain in my first year with the organization. We paid a hefty price to acquire him from Rimouski, but he was the person I point at that changed the culture within our organization. His class, maturity, and professionalism rubbed off on younger players such as Keith Getson, Mitchell Balmas, Kameron Kielly, Dexter Weber, and Oliver Cooper and set the tone for other young guys the next season with Matt Welsh and P.O Joseph. I was also lucky enough to coach a Riptide team in their Peewee years that included Ryan, Craig MacLaughlin, and Ross Johnston. It was nice to see him mature into a dominant top pairing defenseman in the QMJHL. Ryan is a very smart person that excelled at UPEI with the Panthers. To date, he has had an excellent pro career and will be successful in whatever path he chooses when he’s done playing.
#4 Keith Getson
I’m sure a lot of fans can remember early in Keith’s rookie season his penalty kill shift for the ages. If I can remember correctly, he laid out and sacrificed his body and blocked 3 – 4 point-blank slapshots in a row on a penalty kill and endeared himself to Islander faithful forever that night. Keith’s game continued to develop as he matured and he became a crucial part of a few contending teams with us. Keith was great on the penalty kill, was a top faceoff man, and team leader. As an overage, we traded Keith to his hometown Halifax for their Memorial Cup run. Keith is a great kid from a great family. His parents were at almost every home game and they made a home for themselves at the top of Section 24.
#3 P.O Joseph
PO has a huge influence on moving our organization forward as he was the poster boy for working hard and developing over time. PO slipped to us in the 5th round of the QMJHL draft because he was a little undersized and a bit of late bloomer. I can remember PO didn’t make the team out of camp his rookie year and went back to Midget for more seasoning. Early in the year our blueline was decimated with injuries and we called him up for our upcoming Quebec swing. He played exceptional in his first game and I think didn’t miss another game all year. He was poised, smart, and reliable on the ice and his personality off the ice was second to none. He was always the nicest guy in the room, very respectful and humble with the opportunity to play major Junior Hockey. His game took off and he became the first 1st round NHL pick in Islanders History.
#2 Lukas Cormier
For me, it was really a toss-up for my #1 spot. Lukas had an outstanding career with us. He did everything you could have asked for in a top draft pick. Lukas secured numerous league awards, played for Team Canada on the World Junior Team, and set numerous franchise records. He would have been the second 1st round pick in Islanders history if a broken foot didn’t sideline him for almost half of his draft year. His skating was a strong part of his game with exceptional edge work and maneuverability. However, it was his stick and puck sticks that made him exceptional. He possesses a great shot with great vision and passing ability. He also excelled in the classroom and has a great professional career ahead of him.
#1 Daniel Sprong
I had only ever come to one Islanders/Rocket game before I took over as President and it was the home opener in year 1 of the Islanders. I can remember watching the first period and specifically buying a program in the 1st intermission to find out more details on this #11. When I took a look in the program and saw that he was a 16 year old in his first career game I knew that he was something special. I’ve spent a lot of time around junior hockey the past 30 years and I can’t remember a player more exciting to watch. As a fan, you knew that every time he touched the puck that he could make something happen. He literally brought all the fans to the edge of their seats and I’ve never seen another player that had that type of impact just when he came on the ice. Daniel was a tireless worker at this craft and was a strong skater with an exceptional shot and dazzling dangles. He was the 1st bonafide superstar to play here and was well worth the price of admission.
Honorable Mention: Pascal Aquin
Pascal has always been one of my favourite players because of the way that he played the game. He was never looking to go around you but only over or through you. His offensive game developed in his time with us and I always expected him to be a really good pro. I’m happy to see he is still playing at a high level in Germany for the 2022-23 season with the Hannover Scorpions.
Since our inaugural season in 2013 many great players have come through Prince Edward Island. Stars like Daniel Sprong, Lukas Cormier, Ross Johnston, and Matthew Welsh have all worn the black and harvest gold. Now, we’re asking our fans to vote to determine the top 10 players in Islanders franchise history.Voting has now begun and will run until October 31st. Following the closing of voting, we will announce the results with the release of one player per week starting with number 10. Click here to cast your vote!
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