Latest news with #JimHulton
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Islanders ready for top-10 pick in QMJHL Entry Draft
For only the second time in seven years, the Charlottetown Islanders hold a top-10 pick in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft. Article content The Islanders are scheduled to pick seventh overall in Quebec City on June 6. The 12-round draft takes place over two days, with Rounds 2 through 12 taking place on June 7. Article content Article content 'It's exciting with us finally having a first-round pick and not only that, but seventh overall,' said Islanders general manager and head coach Jim Hulton. 'The last time we picked this high was (defenceman Lukas) Cormier (fourth overall in 2018), so we are hoping to have similar success.' Article content Article content Cormier, a third-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, recorded 242 points in 237 regular-season and playoff games with the Islanders over four seasons. Article content Article content The Islanders' only other first-round pick since 2018 was in 2023, when they selected defenceman Owen Conrad with the 20th overall pick acquired in a trade from Quebec. The reason for the Islanders' lack of first-round picks in recent years is due to trades made to set the team up for a run to the QMJHL final in 2022. Article content 'We are not going to restrict ourselves to certain positions,' said Hulton. 'I don't think it's any secret we would like to add some offence but I'm not sure it's fair to the young man that we select seventh to be the cure for all our offensive woes. Article content Article content 'We just need a good hockey player… We feel we can pick a guy who can step in and play right away, so that part's really exciting.' Article content Islanders head scout and director of player personnel Trevor Birt described this year's draft class as deep. Article content 'There's going to be, I would say, some future NHLers in the draft,' said Birt. 'There is some size to the draft, also.' Article content Article content Barring any trades, the Islanders will go into the draft with 12 picks, including two in the second round – 22nd overall from the 2022-23 Franky Lapenna trade to Gatineau and 38th overall as part of the Alexis Michaud trade to Baie-Comeau on Dec. 20, 2024.
Ottawa Citizen
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
QMJHL: Charlottetown Islanders re-sign hockey operations staff
Jim Hulton is thrilled about the opportunity to continue leading the Charlottetown Islanders in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Article content Article content The Islanders announced Hulton, the team's general manager and head coach, has signed a 'multi-year contract extension' in a media release issued on May 21. Article content Also, the Islanders announced that associate coach and assistant general manager Guy Girouard, assistant coach Kevin Henderson, athletic therapist Devin Atkin, and equipment manager Andrew (Spider) MacNeill have also signed new contracts. Article content Article content 'We are really excited to be able to continue the work we have done,' Hulton told The Guardian in a phone interview. 'I think we've had disappointment the last couple of seasons, but we knew a few years ago when we embarked on an ambitious load-up that there was going to be some tougher years ahead. Article content Article content 'It's easy to say, but it's nice ownership has supported us through that. We don't have to look around too many places to see the opposite reactions sometimes when things don't necessarily go according to plan. Article content 'I think there's a belief amongst our staff and ownership that we are heading in the right direction. It's exciting to be able to get to continue on that path.' Article content After advancing to the 2022 QMJHL championship series, the Islanders have been going through a rebuilding process. The Islanders completed the 2024-25 regular season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-29-4-1 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses). Article content Article content The Islanders, who have been swept in the opening round of the playoffs the last three years, were eliminated this year by league-finalist and Memorial Cup-host Rimouski Oceanic. Article content Article content Now, the Islanders are optimistic the team is ready to take the next step in the upcoming season. Article content 'We have worked really hard as a staff to create a good chemistry,' said Hulton, who was recently inducted into his hometown Kingston District Hall of Fame as a hockey builder. 'We all get along really well, and everybody has their respective roles that they manage and look after. Article content 'A big part of me agreeing to come back was knowing we'd all be back together.'
Ottawa Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Jim Hulton inducted into hometown Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame
Article content Jim Hulton described feeling shocked and gracious after learning he would be inducted into the Kingston and District Sport Hall of Fame. Article content Article content Hulton, the general manager and head coach of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Charlottetown Islanders, was recently honoured as a builder for hockey during a ceremony in Kingston, Ont. Article content 'You are filled with gratitude,' Hulton told The Guardian in a phone interview earlier this week. 'It means a lot to me and obviously growing up there, there are a lot of people in the Hall (of Fame) that I looked up to. Article content Article content Hulton was one of six inductees along with Simon Whitfield (athlete, triahtlon); Victor Mendes (builder, soccer); Pat O'Brien (athlete, auto racing); Randy Stewart (builder, hockey), and Ken Thompson, builder, curling). Article content 'It was unbelievable to be standing on the stage with an Olympic gold-medal winner, Simon Whitfield, and people who have 30 to 40 years in their respective fields,' said Hulton. 'It's always nice to see the cross sections of people who are involved in events like that.' Article content Article content P.E.I. connection Article content Hulton, who lives in Cornwall, P.E.I., has been head coach of the Islanders for 10 years and general manager for the last six. Hulton was named the 2021-22 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) coach of the year. Article content Prior to joining the Islanders, Hulton built an extensive coaching resume with Hockey Canada teams competing internationally at different levels; in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL); junior A and junior B hockey in Ontario; United States Hockey League (USHL) and spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Article content Hulton said the support of his family has been paramount, whether he was playing sports or coaching. Article content 'Without their support, I wouldn't be anywhere,' said Hulton. 'You think of all the hours spent in rinks, ball diamonds, and my mother and father and all the sacrifices they made. Article content 'I have three brothers that were all in attendance (for the induction ceremony) and obviously my wife and two kids, who have been willing participants in this crazy journey for a lot of years. It was more a reflection on my family more than anything.' Article content A huge congratulations to our Head Coach and GM, Jim Hulton, who will be inducted into the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame tonight! 👏 This incredible honour recognizes Jim's lifelong dedication to the game. We're proud to have him at the helm. — Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) May 2, 2025 Article content Multi-sport athlete Article content Growing up in Wolfe Island, Ont., which is near Kingston, sports was a big part of Hulton's life, which included playing hockey, baseball, high school football and rugby. Article content 'We were a sports family and kind of involved in everything,' said Hulton. 'There were a lot of different influences. Article content 'I talked about my youth baseball coach was my high school football coach. You learn a little bit from everybody, and it was a good chance to reflect and say to thanks to a lot of people who helped along the way.' Article content With a lot of emphasis on kids now focusing on one sport year-round, Hulton is a big believer in young people playing and trying different sports. Article content 'All of us were in a different era,' said Hulton. 'When the ice went out, you grabbed your ball glove and went (to the ball field). Article content 'It just seemed to be second nature – that's what you did. I think it created athletes as opposed to just hockey players. I think that's very, very important. Article content 'From a coaching perspective, you learned a little bit from everything. I learned a lot of details from ex-football coaches that I still think of with practice planning; you have to be organized, and with baseball it was certain details. You steal a little bit from everybody in terms of making it your own.
