2024 Fan Choice Awards | Hardest Working Player Preview
This award isn’t defined by what’s always on a scoresheet. Fans choose between a list of players known for the explosiveness they bring every time their skates hit the ice. The Bernadette’s Flowers Hardest Working Player Award is given to a player who brings energy and determination to every aspect of their game.
Pascal Aquin was acquired from Shawinigan on August 26th, 2016 for a 2017 ninth round pick. Coming to Prince Edward Island as an expected depth player, Aquin put up 30 points in his first Islanders season, more than he had recorded in his three previous seasons combined. Then, in the 2018 playoffs, Aquin helped lead an Islanders team not anticipated to go far, to the QMJHL semi-finals. Sweeping the 43-win Halifax Mooseheads in the second round, Aquin had the overtime winner in game one and went on to total 14 playoff points.
Aquin was a fan favourite not because of his stats, but because of the determination and never quit attitude he brought with him to the organization. Aquin received the Hardest Working Player Award for the 2016-17 season. Aquin’s work ethic paid off; a player once traded for a ninth-round pick, earned himself multiple pro deals throughout his career. He spent time in the AHL, ECHL and is now a top-scorer in the Germany3 hockey league.
Anaheim Ducks forward Ross Johnston also won the award in the 2014-15 season. An assistant captain in his only year with the team, the Charlottetown native put himself on the map with his size and physicality. Though he was injured for parts of the season, when he was on the ice for the Islanders, he put his physical game on the back burner and embraced his scorer’s mentality. He was a leader through his determination and work ethic.
Finally, Keiran Gallant was the pride of Covehead, P.E.I. during his Islanders tenure. He received the hounor of Hardest Working Player three seasons in a row, an Islanders record. From 2020-2023, Gallant was a fan favourite and was rewarded for his consistently relentless play on the ice. His feet were always moving, he was glued to the man he was covering and a consistent member of Jim Hulton’s penalty-killing unit.
None of these players put up 50 points in any of their QMJHL seasons. However, they were beloved for the way they impacted the game, which was not always on the scoresheet. This award is determined by the energy you bring on the ice and instill in the crowd, by the work you put in to always have your fingerprints on the outcome of a game.
Now, Simon Hughes, Ross Campbell, Isaac Vos and Kyle Powers fight to have their names etched into Islanders’ history.
When Simon Hughes is on the ice, he is ready to get in the face of any player on the opposition. The Stratford native plays fast and physical and is always in the mix on any play. Since coming to Charlottetown, he has set career-highs in goals and points and this season, has drastically reduced his penalty minutes. Hughes’ passion for the game and Islanders’ hockey is clear every time he takes to the Eastlink Centre’s ice. Now, he looks to keep the Hardest Working Player Award in a P.E.I.-born player’s hands for the fourth consecutive season.
Ross Campbell has set career highs in every statistical category during the 2023-24 campaign. Standing at a modest 5’9”, the forward who hails from Souris doesn’t let size impact the way he plays the game. He’s seen a lot of special teams and first-line minutes because of the way he can impact the game. He can get creative offensively just as easily as he can defensively and won’t hesitate to get into someone’s kitchen should they be pressing him or the team. The fourth-round draft pick has made himself a building block of the Islanders’ future and will look to claim his first Islanders award this year.
Isaac Vos waited until the 250th pick in the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft to hear his name called. Over two seasons, the defenceman from Charlottetown has posted 27 points, 23 this season alone. A penalty kill regular, Vos has underrated speed and can read defensive situations very clearly. The way he launches off the bench when his number is called lets everyone know number six is ready to work. Vos will now have his sights set on being the first defenceman to win the award since Hunter Drew in 2017-18.
Kyle Powers is the lone non-Islander who will be competing for the award. The Ottawa, Ontario native was invited to camp this preseason and made the team come the regular season. He’s centered a line with Hughes and Huckins for the majority of the year and just like his linemates, isn’t afraid to play physically and push opponents around. He’s got 25 points this season to go along with 66 penalty minutes. Powers is gritty in the corners and quick to attack any puck not on his team’s stick. Can number 11 be the first Ontario native to win the award since Liam Peyton went back-to-back in 2018-19 and 2019-20?
Only nine games remain in the 2023-24 regular season and the race for the title of Hardest Working Player is officially on.
Don’t forget to cast your vote by the 11th and Go Isles Go!
