Mitchell succeeds Jim Hulton, who spent 11 seasons behind the Islanders bench and helped establish a culture of success and player development that has become synonymous with the organization. As the club enters a new era, it does so with a coach whose playing experience, leadership, and passion for developing young athletes make him a natural fit.

A native of Oakville, Ontario, Mitchell’s path through hockey has taken him to every level of the game. He played his junior hockey with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League, as a teammate of current Islanders Goaltending Coach Paul Drew, before being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

After three successful seasons with the Toronto Marlies, Mitchell earned his opportunity in the NHL, where he would go on to play nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche. Widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and two-way game, he appeared in more than 500 NHL games while earning the trust of coaches and teammates throughout his career.

Mitchell concluded his playing career in Germany’s DEL, spending time with the Nürnberg Ice Tigers and EHC Red Bull München. His years overseas allowed him to develop strong relationships throughout European hockey. Connections that continue to strengthen his ability to recruit, evaluate talent, and support player development.

His transition behind the bench has been equally impressive. This past season, Mitchell served as Head Coach of the Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado 16U AAA program, leading the team to a dominant USA Hockey 16U National Championship.

For President and General Manager Scott Harris, Mitchell’s experience and vision made him the ideal candidate to lead the next chapter of Islanders hockey.

“From our very first conversation, it was clear that John is someone who understands what it takes to build a winning culture,” said Harris. “He has experienced the game at the highest level, he’s passionate about developing young players, and he brings a calm, professional approach that will resonate with our group. His experience throughout the NHL, along with the relationships he’s built in the US, Canada, and Europe, gives our players another tremendous resource as they continue their development. We’re thrilled to welcome John and his family to the Islanders.”

Mitchell said the opportunity to lead the Islanders was one he embraced immediately.

“I’m incredibly honored and excired to step in as the new Head Coach. This is a first-class organization with a rich history in the QMJHL. My family and I are thrilled to make PEI our new home and become part of this wonderful community. I look forward to working closely with our staff, developing our talented young roster, and bringing a competitive, winning culture to our fans.”

Mitchell now takes over a program with a strong foundation and a proud history of developing players for the next level. As just the third Head Coach in franchise history, he brings a fresh perspective backed by years of NHL experience, a championship pedigree, and a commitment to continuing the culture that has made the Charlottetown Islanders one of the premier development organizations in the Canadian Hockey League.

The Islanders also announced that Kevin Henderson has been promoted to Associate Coach. Henderson has been a key member of the Islanders coaching staff since joining the organization ahead of the 2019-20 season as an Assistant Coach under Jim Hulton. Entering his eighth season with the club, Henderson has played an integral role in the development of countless players while helping establish the culture and identity that has become a hallmark of the organization. His promotion provides valuable continuity as the Islanders begin a new chapter under Mitchell’s leadership.

“I’m incredibly excited to continue with the Islanders and to be a part of John’s staff,” said Henderson. “This organization means a lot to me, and I’m looking forward to getting back to work with our players when training camp opens. We have a great group, and I’m excited to help our team continue to grow and compete this season.”

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Charlottetown Islanders season are on sale now, along with flexible 15-game ticket packs. Fans can secure their seats for an exciting new era of Islanders hockey by purchasing online or by visiting the Eastlink Centre Box Office. Stay tuned for the release of the 2026-27 regular season schedule and information on single-game ticket sales.

The Isles Shop is officially closed as we prepare for some exciting changes!

We’re working behind the scenes on something bigger and better for Islanders fans, and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

Please note that online sales will also be temporarily paused during this transition.

Thank you for your continued support and patience. Stay tuned, exciting things are on the way!

Since joining the organization, Kinley has overseen the club’s communications, media relations and digital content, helping grow the Islanders’ brand while sharing the stories of the team and community.

His move to the NHL reflects the Islanders’ commitment to developing not only players and coaches, but staff as well.

“We’re incredibly proud of Cam and everything he accomplished during his time with our organization,” said President & General Manager Scott Harris. “Our goal has always been to help people reach the next level, and it’s exciting to see one of our own earn this opportunity. We thank Cam for all of his hard work and wish him nothing but success with the Vancouver Canucks.”

“I’ll always be grateful to the Charlottetown Islanders for giving me this opportunity,” said Kinley. “Charlottetown has truly become home, and I’m thankful to Cody Cudmore and Jason MacLean for being incredible mentors and bringing me to the Island. This organization is a family, and I’ll forever appreciate everyone who made my time here so special. Charlottetown, I will miss you.”

The Charlottetown Islanders thank Cam for his dedication to the organization and wish him all the best in Vancouver.

D’Urso, 18, joins the Islanders after an outstanding season with Tabor Academy in the USHS-Prep league. The Andover, Massachusetts native posted a .940 save percentage while compiling a 20-8 record, establishing himself as one of the top goaltenders in the prep ranks. The Islanders will now get their first opportunity to see the talented netminder compete in Charlottetown this fall.

Farren, also 18, brings a combination of size, leadership and offensive production to Training Camp. The Hingham, Massachusetts native stands 6’3” and weighs 220 pounds. Last season, he served as captain of Northfield Mount Hermon School, recording 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 33 USHS-Prep games.

The pair become the latest American players to earn invitations to Islanders Training Camp as the organization continues to evaluate talent ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Training Camp will provide both players with the opportunity to showcase their abilities as they compete for a place within the Islanders organization.

The Charlottetown Islanders Training Camp gets underway later this fall.

With three import positions currently available heading into the 2026-27 season, all three selections will arrive in Charlottetown looking to make an immediate impact.

Islanders Select Artyom Mate in First Round

The Islanders used the 32nd overall pick in the first round to select Russian defenceman Artyom Mate, a 6-foot-3, 196-pound blueliner from Moskva, Russia.

At just 17 years old, Mate already brings an impressive resume. He served as captain of both Spartak Moskva’s U17 and U18 teams during the 2025-26 season, showcasing leadership qualities well beyond his years.

Offensively, Mate produced at an elite level from the back end, recording 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 22 games with the U17 squad before adding six goals and six assists for 12 points in just 13 games with the U18 team.

Elite Prospects believes the Islanders may have landed one of the biggest steals of the draft.

“There’s no doubt in our minds that Artyom Mate would make an immediate impact for the Charlottetown Islanders. Mature beyond his years, the big-bodied defenceman was a consistent standout for our Eastern Europe scout Dylan Griffing, shining through his ability to process the game but also bringing intriguing physical tools to the table. He’ll be a player to watch for next year’s NHL Draft.” - Elite Prospects

Elite Prospects' Eastern Europe scout Dylan Griffing was equally high on the selection.

“It was incredibly upsetting to not see Artyom Mate lace up for a single MHL game this past season. My No. 6 ranked 2009-born prospect, he spent the entire season with Spartak’s U18 club as he wasn’t selected for either of the two junior programs at their disposal. There’s a lot to like with his profile and a lot that will translate extremely well into the North American style of hockey. He’s a mature player, often appearing older than his age group just because of how intelligent he is. No pressure is too much for him to handle, an extremely reliable puck-mover with above-average skating, strong vision, and the ability to link plays through channels of space like he’s been doing it since birth. Shone at the international level this season in his chances. I think there’s a hidden gem with this player.”

Islanders President and General Manager Scott Harris believes Mate has the tools to step into a significant role immediately.

“He’s really strong defensively; he moves the puck extremely well under pressure; he’s played in the Russian national program on top of playing locally,” said Harris. “To us, Mate is going to be able to come in and play a top-four role. He’s very mature for a 2009.”

Islanders Add Latvian Defenceman Aleksandr Grundmanis

Charlottetown continued to bolster its blue line in the second round, selecting Latvian defenceman Aleksandr Grundmanis with the 93rd overall pick.

The 6-foot-4, 213-pound right-shot defenceman spent last season with Luleå HF’s U18 team in Sweden, recording three goals and 17 assists for 20 points in 37 regular season games before adding three assists in three playoff contests.

Grundmanis also represented Latvia internationally, scoring two goals in seven games with the country’s U18 national team.

Harris believes Grundmanis fits exactly what the Islanders were looking for.

“Grundmanis, as an example, has been part of the Latvian national program and it looks like he’s most likely going to be part of the under-20 camp that they have this summer,” said Harris. “It’s hard to find big mobile D that can move the puck, and both of these defencemen can do it.”

Islanders Round Out Draft with Dynamic Ukrainian Forward

In the third round, with the 154th overall selection, the Islanders added offensive skill by selecting Ukrainian forward Oleksii Kryvonos.

The 5-foot-10 forward spent most of last season playing against older competition with HK Nitra’s U20 team in Slovakia, posting 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 43 games.

Late in the season, Kryvonos joined the club’s U18 team, recording three points in two regular season games before breaking out in the playoffs with three goals and two assists in seven games. His outstanding postseason earned him recognition as the top forward of the Slovakia U18 playoffs despite being just 16 years old.

Harris believes the skilled forward has the ability to become an impact player.

“(He) was the MVP of the under-18s last year as a 16-year-old in the playoffs,” said Harris. “This kid has special qualities. He’s quick, got really good skill and really good vision, and he’s versatile because he can play both down the middle and he can also play on the wing.”

Opportunity Awaits

With three import roster spots available entering the 2026-27 season, all three draft selections are expected to attend Islanders training camp this fall with an opportunity to earn a place on the opening night roster.

Adding two highly-skilled, mobile defencemen in Mate and Grundmanis, along with the offensive upside of Kryvonos, the Islanders believe they have strengthened their organization with three players capable of making an immediate impact while continuing to build for the future.

Your Charlottetown Islanders will make the 32nd overall selection in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, set for Tuesday, June 30, at 11 a.m. ET. The Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) hold the first overall selection, followed by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

(See the complete draft order below.)

The Islanders also own the 93rd overall selection in the second round and the 154th overall pick in the third round.

Charlottetown enters this year’s draft with all three import roster spots available, President and General Manager Scott Harris and the Islanders with an exciting opportunity to add impact talent to the lineup ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“The Import Draft is one of the best opportunities to add high-end talent to your organization. This is a draft we’re really excited about. Having three import spots available gives us a unique opportunity to be aggressive. My extensive background in NHL scouting has allowed me to develop a strong network internationally and we’re going to lean on that experience throughout this process," said President & General Manager Scott Harris. "We believe there are some difference-makers available, and we’re looking forward to bringing that type of talent to Charlottetown.”

The club’s import roster opens following the departures of forwards Ivan Ryabkin and Nikita Voyaga. Ryabkin made an immediate impact after being selected 21st overall by the Islanders in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, joining the team midway through the season and quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players. The Russian forward finished the regular season with 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points in just 20 games, before adding four goals and five assists for nine points in six playoff games. Ryabkin has since re-joined the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, helping the club reach the Calder Cup Finals.

With a clean slate of import positions available, the Islanders have the flexibility to make a significant splash in this year’s draft and continue building an exciting young roster.

For the second straight year, the CHL Import Draft will consist of three rounds as the CHL enters its second season with three import player spots available on each club’s roster. Under updated rules for the 2026 CHL Import Draft, 20-year-old import players will be eligible to be selected in any round, while 16-year-old import players may also be selected, but only in the first round.

CHL clubs may carry a maximum of one 16-year-old import player per season, and that player cannot be traded or replaced by another import player during his 16-year-old season. If a 16-year-old import player is released to another level of hockey during the regular season or removed from a club’s roster, that club will be limited to two import players for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. CHL clubs have been permitted to trade selections in the 2027 CHL Import Draft since May 5, 2026, while 2026 selections may continue to be traded until Monday, June 29.

The Islanders have found success through the CHL Import Draft over the years. In 2020, Charlottetown selected Jakub Brabenec with the 35th overall pick, while in 2017, the club selected Nikita Alexandrov with the 50th overall selection. Most recently, the Islanders struck gold with Ryabkin in 2025, whose remarkable production in a short span showcased the impact an elite import player can have on a team’s success.

The CHL Import Draft has helped bring a number of future NHL standouts to the CHL, including Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Zdeno Chara (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Marian Hossa (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Mikael Backlund (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights / OHL), Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL), Alexander Radulov (Québec Remparts / QMJHL), David Krejci (Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL), and Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL). That list also includes two-time Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL), along with recent 2026 Stanley Cup champions Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts / OHL) and Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL).

Since the first CHL Import Draft was held in 1992, more than 2,300 players from outside Canada and the United States have been selected through the annual event.

Fans can follow along with the 2026 CHL Import Draft and view the complete results here beginning at 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 30.