Charlottetown Second Home for Keith Getson
Published on November 15, 2018 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release
Charlottetown Islanders assistant captain Keith Getson has been a part of a number of monumental moments in the history of the organization.
It's hardly a surprising fact, given that the Bridgewater, Nova Scotia native has spent the last five seasons as a member of the Islanders.
Through it all, Getson says that his fondest memories have come in the postseason.
"Over the past couple of years, going to the third round has been memorable." Said Getson. "I've enjoyed seeing the organization evolve and go further in the playoffs each season."
Getson was the fourth selection made by Charlottetown in the 2014 QMJHL Draft, being selected in the third round, 48th overall. That draft class has become a very strong draft class, earmarked by future NHL stars Pierre-Luc Dubois and Samuel Girard; starting netminders such as Evan Fitzpatrick, Samuel Harvey, Mark Grametbauer, and Francis Leclerc; and a slew of long-time QMJHL stars like Peter Abbandonato, Jordan Maher, Phelix Martineau, and former Islanders first-round pick Mitchell Balmas.
Through it all, only Balmas and Jordan Maher sit ahead of Getson in games played among active players in games played (the two are tied at 276, while Getson has 274). Getson, however, has played all of those games with just one team, while the two players ahead of him have played their games spread across multiple teams. Getson says that Charlottetown has become more than just the place he plays hockey.
"Yeah, definitely. I mean being here for five years, it's basically like growing up here. I came here at 16, and now being here at 20 it's basically like a second home." Said the forward.
Over the years, Getson has seen a number of changes both on and off the ice. When the Islanders hit the ice in Getson's first season, they were coming off of yet another first round playoff loss, a streak that extended beyond the years of the Isles and well in to the history of the Prince Edward Island Rocket. As the years went on, however, that losing mindset began to change.
"When I came in at 16, It was kind of like we were expecting to lose." Said Getson. "In the 10 years before that the Rocket hadn't made it past the first round. I think they were just wanting to get in to the playoffs, and once that happened they were just fine with whatever result."
"Once the Isles came along, the mindset evolved a bit, and we just wanted to get as far as we could."
In his final season of QMJHL hockey, Getson is enjoying the best point-producing pace of his career, currently sitting at 7 goals and 19 points in 21 games played. His hard work ethic, affable personality, and penchant for scoring goals has endeared himself to Islanders fans. The support from those fans is something that Getson says he'll cherish.
"Over the years I've been in PEI, people have been so nice to me. And as I mentioned, the buzz around the rink has evolved over the years. It's been really nice to see that, and I'm really happy to have been a part of it for five years."
With 274 games played, 51 goals, 73 assists, 124 points and counting, Keith Getson has created a legacy in Charlottetown that will not soon be forgotten. It's safe to say that Getson will forever be synonymous with Charlottetown Islanders hockey.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2018
- Charlottetown Second Home for Keith Getson - Charlottetown Islanders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
