Marcus Kearsey is in his sophomore season with the club. This season Marcus has taken the initiative to partner with Big Brother Big Sisters of P.E.I. to launch his new program: Kearsey’s Kids.
Through this program, Marcus will be hosting one match at every regular season home game. They will be Marcus’s special guests, sit on the bench during warmups, have a one-on-one visit, and receive a limited edition Kearsey’s Kids t-shirt.
“It’s important that we give back to the kids and make sure the community is welcomed by the Islanders organization,” Kearsey said. “I think it’s a program full of good and positive things.”
Kearsey wants the kids to enjoy themselves when they come to Islanders games.
“It’s going to be a bunch of fun, that’s what we’re here for.”
This program wouldn’t be possible without Big Brothers Big Sisters of P.E.I. Their organization has been providing life-changing mentoring for over 50 years and in 2016, was named one of Financial Post’s top 25 charities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters helps kids nationwide who struggle with societal barriers. They help kids experiencing adversities, such as living conditions, identity challenges, school issues, etc.
“Our vision is that all young people realize their full potential, and we are trying to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people,” said Big Brother Big Sisters Communications and Development Manager, Kieran Goodwin.
The program offers experiences kids otherwise may not have. Kids receive valuable one-on-one time with their mentor and have an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation, and fun activities, Goodwin said.
They are excited Kearsey has agreed to partner with them.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of PEI are thrilled that Marcus decided to reach out to us,” Goodwin said. “We believe it shows how much community means to Marcus and for him to give back.”
Kearsey was drafted in the first round of the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft and is playing in his second season with the Charlottetown Islanders. After being named the QMJHL Rookie Defenseman of the Year and being a positive influence in the locker room, Kearsey was named an associate captain going into the new season.
“It’s pretty special, not only to just play for this organization but to be recognized as a leader,” he said. “At the end of the day, I will try to be the best leader I can regardless of the letter.”
Islanders Head Coach and General Manager, Jim Hulton, is happy with the leadership Kearsey presents.
“It’s exciting for a young player to be worthy of a letter in junior hockey but Marcus certainly has earned it,” he said. “To know that he is probably the future captain of this team, it’s probably reassuring to all of us.”
Hulton always looks forward to having the kids be a part of the team.
“Well, we’re excited to welcome them. We consider them all a part of the team,” he said. “The kids programs are a real treat for not just the kids involved but probably even more so for the players and the staff that get to share our experiences with them and we’re excited that Marcus is taking on this initiative.”
You can support Big Brothers Big Sisters P.E.I. by donating on their website here. There, you can also find volunteer forms that you can fill out and become Big Brother or Big Sister.
Marcus and the Islanders return to the ice Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre when they take on the Moncton Wildcats. Tickets are on sale now at the Eastlink Centre Box Office, by phone at 902-629-6625, or online.