Latest news with #AndrewsHockeyGrowthPrograms
Ottawa Citizen
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
P.E.I. hockey coach realizes goal
Article content After two years in Grand Falls, the Mooseheads offered MacKenzie an assistant coaching position. MacKenzie could not turn down the opportunity to join one of flagship franchises in Canadian major-junior hockey. Article content 'A storied franchise like this with such a legacy, a tremendous fan base and a lot of rich history, I'm really thrilled and feel honoured to be able to (be named head coach),' said MacKenzie, who also has international coaching experience as an assistant coach with a Canadian team at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Article content MacKenzie, a longtime employee of the Charlottetown-based Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, said he's been fortunate to learn things from all five head coaches – Lord, Sylvain Favreau (Mooseheads), Jim Midgley (Mooseheads), Jim Hulton (Islanders) and Forbie MacPherson (UPEI Panthers) – he's worked under in recent years. Article content Article content 'Obviously, at the end of the day, I'm going to be myself and my own person, but you take things from all those coaches that you got a chance to work for (previously),' said MacKenzie. 'Then, also to include the Hockey Canada experience that I had last year and the opportunity to meet some new coaches there again and with another head coach (Travis Crickard of the Saint John Sea Dogs), I learned a lot. I think all those experiences helped me to be ready for this one.' Article content Advantages Article content MacKenzie feels there are advantages to moving up to head coach with the same organization he's already worked with. Article content 'Obviously, the first is the relationships that are already existing with the players,' said MacKenzie. 'All of the players, I know where they're at right now and their current development paths. I know what their strengths are and their weaknesses. Article content Article content 'I know you know how to motivate these guys and everybody's different, so it kind of gives you a head start in that regard.' Article content However, MacKenzie pointed out there will be some challenges as well. Article content 'The relationships you have with the players as an assistant coach are different than that of a head coach, so that'll be a challenge early on,' said MacKenzie. 'There will be an adjustment for myself, but also for the players – now they have a guy they had as an assistant coach last season who's now calling the shots of the head guy.' Article content MacKenzie said the Mooseheads will add one assistant coach to round out the coaching staff. Assistant coach Morgan MacDonald of Little Pond, P.E.I., and goalie coach Charles Grant are returning. MacDonald is a former captain of the MHL's Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and worked with MacKenzie in Grand Falls.
Ottawa Citizen
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Andrews International Hockey Showcase attracts world-class talent to P.E.I.
It's not often Prince Edward Islanders have the opportunity to watch world-class hockey, let alone in June. Article content However, that was the case last week at the 31st Andrews International Hockey Showcase, hosted by Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, at UPEI in Charlottetown. Article content Article content Article content The players practised, played games, participated in player panels featuring a variety of speakers – scouts, players, coaches and administrators at different levels – and had the opportunities to check out schools and programs in attendance. Article content Article content Article content 'It wasn't easy to bring together this many people and this many people to watch them,' said Andrews. 'We're pretty proud and grateful for the presence from the NHL, NCAA, CHL. Article content 'There's an incredible lineup of not only coaches, scouts and players, but, overall, it's an incredible combination. We feel there are going to be a lot of opportunities to come out of this.' Article content NHL Central Scouting endorsed the event and promoted it. There were 17 NHL teams represented in Charlottetown last week. Article content The event has come a long way since Andrews' father and founder of Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, the late Allan Andrews, started the showcase in Slemon Park, P.E.I. Josh recalled the first event featured only 10 to 15 players. Article content Article content 'It was a dream of his to do this 30 years ago,' said Josh. 'You end up getting started very, very small, but it was started. He really wanted to get players opportunities.' Article content Article content 'It's wanting to bring a level of excellence that has always been here, but to take the quality of the players and the quality of the coaches that we bring in to another level,' said Harris. 'We think it's important local and Atlantic Canadian kids see the pool of hockey is quite significant.'
Ottawa Citizen
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Charlottetown Islander named QMJHL's humanitarian player of the year
Article content 'Our athletes love to watch him play. They love to talk to him afterwards. He's a really good guy and ambassador for the (Special Olympics) movement, and a good representation about what hard work can look like as an athlete, so our athletes can relate to him a lot.' Article content Sheehan said one thing that has stood out about Jardine's volunteer efforts is his sincerity and desire to work with and help people. Article content 'He has a really great love of the (Special Olympics) movement,' said Sheehan. 'He was involved in Special Olympics when he was in high school in New Brunswick. Article content 'He was able to take that passion to P.E.I. and be connected with Special Olympics P.E.I. It's super sincere and he really appreciates what the athletes bring to their sports, so they can connect on that level.' Article content Article content Jardine also volunteered his time at several minor hockey practices, played a role in developing sport skills and leadership qualities for teenagers at Andrews Hockey Growth Programs. He participated in anti-bullying seminars with Crime Stoppers, supported the IWK Health Foundation, and took an active role in the Islanders' Make-A-Wish Game, helping reach a goal of $10,000 to grant a sick child's wish. Jardine also participated in a pre-game ceremony as the Islanders recognized six ambassadors who have faced extraordinary health challenges. Article content 'That was great having those kids come onto the ice before the game,' said Jardine. 'It's hard to put into words what some of those kids have gone through and not every kid is as fortunate as we are to play in the Q or even maybe get a chance to play sports.' Article content Jardine, an infielder with the Charlottetown Gaudet's Auto Body Islanders of the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL), also gives back helping out at minor baseball practices in the summer. Article content Article content Article content 'I'd like to thank the organization and the Charlottetown Islanders for being very easy to work with,' said Jardine. 'They made my life so very easy. There is never any stress involved in it… Article content 'I hope my teammates see what we have done and keep the tradition alive, whether it's the next team they play on or in Charlottetown.'
