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QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Kearsey Cleans up at the 2023-24 Islanders Fan-Choice Awards

March 26, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Marcus Kearsey cleaned up at the 2023-24 Charlottetown Islanders fan-choice awards taking home five awards at the ceremony hosted at the Eastlink Centre on Monday night.

Dozens of Islanders' fans stood around the lobby of the arena. 11 winners were named for their overall dedication to the game of hockey.

Team president of operations Jason MacLean got the night rolling. He announced the winner of the Colliding Tides 3 Rising Stars Award, given to the player that has been recognized the most on home ice in the three stars of the game. Carter Bickle won his first of two awards to start off the night.

Then, Charlottetown Mayor Phillip Brown came to the stage to announce the winner of the Mayor's Choice Community Involvement award. This award is given out to the player every year who shows dedication to their community like no other. This year, that player was Kearsey. His first of five awards stemmed from his program 'Kearsey's Kids'.

"I took the initiative to start this program earlier in the year to give back to the community," Kearsey said. "I wanted to make sure every Islanders' fan feels welcome to our games."

Then, head coach Jim Hulton took to the stage to invite Simon Hughes up as he won the Hardest Working Player award.

Every game, Hughes goes out and gives 110 per cent on the ice with a significant physical presence. He scored 20 goals for the first time in his career this season while also setting a career-high in points with 35.

Kearsey then came up to receive his second award of the night, the Discover Kia Play of the Year. His shootout goal in Moncton to give the Islanders much-needed two points where he blew a kiss to the Wildcats' crowd got him the award.

It was Newfoundland native Matthew Butler who collected his first award next, MAX 93 Rookie of the Year. Last year, Kearsey took home the award. He started his career off strong, finishing with 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points, placing him in the top 10 in the league in rookie scoring.

With both Kearsey and Butler being from Newfoundland, they hold a special bond, but Butler couldn't help but crack a joke.

"Yeah, I mean he's so good I just have to do what he does right?" he said as the crowd broke out in laughter.

Kearsey then continued to get his steps in, returning to the stage to collect his Island Oxygen Top Defensive Player of the Year award. Kearsey set new career highs in goals with 7, assists with 42 and points with 49.

Giovanni Morneau jumped in on the fun. Assistant coach Kevin Henderson awarded Morneau with the Mucho Burrito Offensive Player of the Year award. Morneau was electric every time he was on the ice. He was second place in scoring on the team before he was taken out with an injury in late February against the Wildcats. He finished the year with 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points.

The UPEI Academic Achievement Award was handed out next by education coordinators Bruce Clueny and Hannah Woodworth. Kearsey was then given his fourth award of the night, being recognized for his academic skills off the ice.

Next came the Maritime Electric Volunteer of the Year award. Jonathan Oliver won this year's award. Oliver is billet coordinator for the team. His son even got an extra award, best dressed for wearing a gold Islanders jersey.

Then, Kearsey collected another. This time, it was his teammates who voted for him to win the Red Shores Player's Player award.

"His contributions aren't just seen on the ice. He's been a part of a number of really impressive community initiatives and that was definitely recognized," Hulton said.

It was only fitting that after his final award, Butler would be the next name called. He dethroned Morneau to win Fan Favourite of the Year in his rookie season.

Then, Cory Arsenault came up to the stage to award the final trophy, the Arsenault Brothers MVP. Bickle took home his second award of the night, winning MVP in his first season with the club. He had a record of 16 wins and 26 losses with an .890 save percentage and a 3.52 goals against average.

"I think Carter has been an integral part of our team especially in the second half of our season once he got comfortable taking on the mantle of being a starter," Hulton said. "He performed admirably well into the second half."

During the ceremony, Hulton discussed the Isles' upcoming playoff series against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

"It's like a whole new season. Everyone is tied for first, so technically right now, we're first!" he said before laughter from the crowd. "We're going to go in and give everything we've got."

Game one of that series is on Friday, March 29 in Baie-Comeau. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. AST.

Playoff ticket packages are on sale now. More information is here. Ticket packages can be purchased by calling the Eastlink Centre box office at (902) 629-6625. Single game tickets can be purchased here starting March 25.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2024


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