2011-12 Champion Mid-Isle Robert's Petro Canada Matrix

The 7-team PEI Midget AAA Hockey League gets underway on Monday night when the Charlottetown Brighton Construction Abbies visit the Pownal Gaudet's Auto Body Red Devils at 7:55 in Pownal.

"We've had once of our most competitive camps in recent memory and we hope this translates into a strong start to the season," says coach Ryan Ramsay.  Veteran forwards such as Mark MacMillan, Nick MacDonald and Matt Lange, among others, will lead a balanced group of forwards. Tyson Blue, Ryan Lawless, Pat Decoste and Jackson Donovan will anchor a steady defence group along with two strong goaltenders in Zach Geldert and Alex Dunne.  "We look forward to challenging the rest of the teams in our highly competitive league", Ramsay added.

 

On Tuesday night at 7:00 at the APM Centre, the two-time defending league and Atlantic Champion Mid-Isle Robert's Petro Canada Matrix will begin the season when they host the Sherwood Drug Mart Falcons.  "We have six returning players," says head coach, Mike Lord.  "and we'll depend on Spencer McAllister, Aaron Nunn and Ryan Murray to lead the way. We won't be an offensive team like recent years but believe our strength in goaltending and defense will make the Matrix competitive."

 

The Abbies travel to Summerside on Wednesday night for a 7:15 matchup with the Summerside Hemphill GM Capitals at Credit Union Place.  The Capitals will have lots of new faces with a large number of the 2011-12 team graduating from the midget level.

 

The Falcons will have their home opener on Thursday night against the Kings County Kings at 8:20 at Cody Banks.  The Kings will try to build on the momentum gained at the end of last season when they knocked off the #2 seed in the first round of the playoffs from the 7th position.  Kings County's home opener will be on Friday night in Souris against the Matrix at 7:55.

 

The Abbies will round out a busy week on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at Simmons when they host the Western Regals who will be playing in their first game of the season.  "We will have a well balanced squad this season," says coach, Brett Corcoran, "with strong goaltending expected from returning tender Rowgan Barbour, a sturdy defensive core led by Ryan McNeill and Jeff Gaudet and four solid lines up front who are able to score and play physical with returning forward Robbie Fraser, Jason Gallant, Brett Aylward and Brendan Smith providing lots of leadership."

 

The 30-game regular season will conclude on February 9th.  The Atlantics will be on March 21st to 24th in Nova Scotia.

 

You can get the rest of the schedule details at the league's website: http://www.peimidgetaaahockey.ca/.