Rookie Blue

Rookie Red, White and Blue

S. RYAN QUIGLEY

JOURNAL PIONEER

CAPTION: (Left to Right) Brandon Carter, Jordon Costello and Alex Gallant outside the Capital’s dressing room before practice on Tuesday.

It was only a few days ago the Summerside Western Capitals were celebrating the Kent Cup victory. It was still fresh on the minds of three of the Cap’s homegrown rookies, Alex Gallant, Jordan Costello and Brandon Carter as they arrived for practice to get ready for the Fred Page Cup.

“We just kept going, no one gave up. We kept going and going, then making it a one goal game, then tying it up, I thought, we can actually do it right now! Then Trevor puts the puck in the net you don’t even remember you just jump over the boards and get there as fast as you can,” said Carter.

“As soon as the goal went in the net, all I could think about was getting my gloves and helmet off and getting in there and giving everybody a great big hug,” said Costello.

The team started a three day practice regiment on Tuesday to get back into shape for the tournament being held in Terrebonne, Quebec, to decide who ultimately moves on to the Royal Bank Cup.

The fact they have the maximum amount of 20 year olds, nine, on the team this year including Captains Harrison McIver, Trevor Carmichael, Nathan DesRoches and Neil Sherren, has been a big advantage for the team, said Carter, Costello and Gallant.

“You learn from them all, there is eight of them I think who were on the Royal Bank Cup team from 08-09 like they’re just character guys and they help everybody through it,” said Costello.

“Everyone of them has played a big role this year, treated everybody well, came up big on and off the ice, no one has gotten ahead of themselves yet,” said Carter.

“(The leadership group) got us here, those guys are great,” said Gallant. “They all pitch in and do a great job. There’s nine of them, and they all want to win, last year of junior.”

The team has bonded a lot through these games, especially with how close in score they’ve been, said Gallant.

“The whole team just is completely together. Just a bunch of good guys, that’s what helped us get through it.”

Costello also sees the bond in the team as a big part of their success.

“I mean this is probably one of the closest knit teams I’ve ever been on, everybody bonds with everybody. You can ask for much more, when you get that it’s something special.”

Though the guys know they’re not the team’s goal scorers, they know they can still offer the team some help.

“I just do what I’ve been doing all year, play energy line, get out there create some energy for the team when it’s needed,” said Carter.

“I’m just going to have to do my job. I’m on the fourth line, everyone knows their job and that’s just to play their role,” said Gallant.

“I’m no goal scorer,” said Costello. “Well, in the Fred Page Cup I’m going to offer my hard work and penalty killing ability, play defensively like I have all year.”

Gallant, Carter and Costello is excited about their chances in the Fred Page Cup, but also about the lessons they learned from this year for next year.

“Being able to share this with the guys that are going to be coming back again next year, we will be able to be leaders ourselves and learn from these guys,” said Carter.