June 30, 2025 - 22 Games Today

Goulet Hoping to Get Back in Islanders Lineup, Step up His Game

November 25, 2015 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release

Alexandre Goulet is hoping to be back in the Charlottetown Islanders lineup tonight after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.

The 19-year-old forward sustained the injury during an off-ice workout last week and missed both games in Sydney, N.S., against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play.

"It's getting better everyday and hopefully I can play tomorrow night," he said before practising on Tuesday.

He said it is tough being out of the lineup and unable to help his team, but injuries are part of the game.

Being back in the lineup tonight would be extra special as the Quebec Remparts are in town. Goulet grew up 90 minutes away from Quebec City in DisraÃ«li and played his major midget hockey in Levis, just outside of the capital city.

"It's always fun to play the Remparts with their big reputation, so we'll be ready to go," Goulet said.

The five-foot-11, 196-pound forward began his Islanders career as a centre in 2013. He moved to the wing last season, but had started to play in the middle again before last week's injury.

"I'll play where the coach puts me in the lineup. I just have to find a way to help the team to win, that's the most important" thing, Goulet said.

He had 35 goals and 26 assists for 61 points in 65 games last season. In 20 games this season, he has nine goals and five assists, but is a +2.

"I have to step up my game," Goulet said. "I can be a better player than what I have played (until) now."

Goulet and Filip Chlapik both missed Saturday's game. Head coach Jim Hulton said they are big components of the team's offence.

"There's been a burden of expectation on both of those guys all season, but probably even greater now with the absence of (the injured Kameron) Kielly and obviously a slump here offensively," he said. "We need them to get excited and kind of bring their A game to the forefront."

Tonight the Islanders play the Remparts before hosting the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Thursday. Charlottetown defeated the Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs last season before the Remparts swept the Islanders in the second round.

"Sometimes the faces change, but I think the intensity will probably come back around," Hulton said. "Over the course of a playoff series you develop a healthy degree of hatred for the other team. There's usually a residue of that because there's still players on both teams."

Goalie Mason McDonald will start tonight for the Islanders, who are trying to cut down on the chances they give up and reduce their goals against.

"We have to learn from this past weekend," Hulton said. "We allowed their high-end skill to beat us."

It means the Islanders must be aware of where Dmytro Timashov, a Toronto Maple Leafs pick with 13 goals and 28 assists in 23 games, is at all times.