Kearsey becomes the second consecutive Islander to receive the nomination, following Max Jardine, who was named the CHL Humanitarian of the Year last season.

The award recognizes players who have made a significant impact in their communities through volunteerism, leadership, and charitable involvement. Marcus has embodied those values throughout his time in Charlottetown, making a positive difference both on and off the ice.

Congratulations, Marcus, on this well-deserved recognition.

Nineteen CHL clubs represented among 2026 finalists, led by historic seasons from Bryce Pickford, Tommy Bleyl, Nikita Klepov, and Maxim Massé

• Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers led the entire CHL with 108 points, while his twin brother Liam finished second with 104, making them the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season.
• This year marks the first time in CHL history that all three Member League Rookie of the Year recipients are U.S.-born players, with JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), Klepov (OHL), and Bleyl (QMJHL) all nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year.
• Should Bleyl be named CHL Rookie of the Year, he would become just the fourth defenceman to receive the honour, joining Philippe Boucher (Granby Bisons / QMJHL, 1990-91), Bryan Berard (Detroit Jr. Red Wings / OHL, 1994-95), and Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL, 2024-25), who captured the award last season.
• Massé, the CHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, could become just the sixth player in CHL history to win both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award over the course of his career, joining Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gavin McKenna.
• Sam O’Reilly of the Kitchener Rangers enters the ceremony as a finalist for the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award following a remarkable campaign in which he was named OHL regular-season MVP, OHL Playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup MVP while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. Should he win the CHL’s top individual honour, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect would join Brad Richards and Mitch Marner as the only players to capture CHL Player of the Year after completing that rare MVP sweep in the same season.
• Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s is a finalist for CHL Goaltender of the Year after leading the CHL with a .923 save percentage, posting a CHL-best 2.07 goals-against average, and setting a new OHL rookie record with six shutouts. If selected, the 2026 NHL Draft prospect would become only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award — and the first in 31 years — following Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL) in 1994-95.
• Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips is nominated for the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award after guiding Everett to a franchise-record 57-win regular season, the first WHL Championship in club history, the Silvertips’ first Memorial Cup appearance, and their first Memorial Cup Final appearance.
• Marcus Kearsey of the Charlottetown Islanders could help make CHL history, as an Islanders win would mark the first time a club has captured the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. With Kearsey earning his second nomination for this CHL honour in the last three seasons, a Charlottetown Islanders player has now represented the QMJHL as a finalist for the award in four of the last five seasons, including each of the last three.

Humanitarian of the Year Award Nominees: Shane Smith (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Marcus Kearsey (Charlottetown Islanders / QMJHL) The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year), the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year), and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The Islanders’ draft class also featured three American-born players, reflecting a historic year for American participation in the QMJHL Entry Draft.

Charlottetown opened the draft by selecting centre Aslan Tremblay with the 11th overall pick in the first round.

A native of Quebec City, QC, Tremblay stands 6’1” and 192 pounds and is coming off an impressive season with the Amos Forestiers of the QM18AAA. The 16-year-old recorded 20 goals and 14 assists for 34 points in 38 regular season games before adding four goals and one assist in the playoffs. He also represented his region at the QMJHL Cup, posting one goal and two assists in three games.

"Tremblay was a kid we interviewed and we liked the interview a lot," said Islanders' Head Scout, Kevin Hill. "He showed his passion and personality in that interview. He’s got size with skill and is something we don’t have in our lineup right now. We couldn’t be more excited to get him."

Ranked eighth overall on the QMJHL Central Scouting final rankings, Tremblay was viewed by many as one of the top forwards available in the draft.

“Aslan checks all of the boxes,” said Islanders scout Cory Arsenault. “He sniffs around the blue paint and doesn’t need much time or space to be deadly.”

The Islanders were thrilled to see Tremblay available at 11th overall and believe they secured tremendous value with their first-round selection.

In the second round, Charlottetown selected defenceman Nathan Frost with the 29th overall pick.

The Drummondville, QC product was ranked 21st overall and fourth among defencemen on the QMJHL Central Scouting final rankings. The 6’1”, 174-pound left-shot blueliner spent the season with the Marie-Rivier Canimex M17 AAA program, recording 11 points in 18 regular season games while adding two points in two playoff contests.

"Frost was a player we thought at 29 we were sitting too low to select him and thought if we can find a partner to trade up with he would be a great asset. With a player of his talents sitting at 29 and also probably in the top 3 in terms of interviewed players this year, for us he was the obvious choice," said Hill. "He’s an offensive defenceman that likes joining the rush or leading it. Something we don’t have right now. He’s going to be a great asset moving forward." 

Frost also impressed at the QMJHL Cup, scoring two goals in four games. A mobile defender with size and significant upside, Frost was a player the Islanders' scouting staff were excited to add to their prospect pool.

After selecting a forward and a defenceman with their first two picks, the Islanders turned their attention to the crease in the fourth round, selecting goaltender Colby O’Shaughnessy with the 65th overall pick.

The Cole Harbour, NS native was ranked as the fifth-best goaltender on the QMJHL Central Scouting list. The 16-year-old netminder stands 6’1” and 170 pounds and spent last season with the March & Mill Co. Hunters U18 program of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League. O’Shaughnessy appeared in 17 regular season games and six playoff contests before joining the South Shore Lumberjacks of the NSJHL for two playoff games.

According to Islanders goaltending coach Paul Drew, O’Shaughnessy was an exciting addition and a player the organization was eager to bring into the fold.

Charlottetown continued to add offensive talent in the middle rounds, selecting American-born forwards Robert Deklaine of Westborough, MA and Cade Noonan of Boston, MA with back-to-back picks. Followed by their second goaltender of the draft, selecting Caleb Pelletier of Laval, QC.

Charlottetown rounded out its 2026 draft class by selecting forwards Hugo Légaré (Saint-Raymond, QC) and Bodan McFadden (Moncton, NB), along with defencemen Liam Bowles (Island View, NB) and Mason Wohlers (Somers, CT, USA).

2026 Charlottetown Islanders Draft Class

Round 1, Pick 11 – Aslan Tremblay, C, Quebec City, QC

Round 2, Pick 29 – Nathan Frost, D, Drummondville, QC

Round 4, Pick 65 – Colby O’Shaughnessy, G, Cole Harbour, NS

Round 5 – Robert Deklaine, F, Westborough, MA, USA

Round 5 – Cade Noonan, F, Boston, MA, USA

Round 6 – Caleb Pelletier, G, Laval, QC

Round 8 – Hugo Légaré, F, Saint-Raymond, QC

Round 9 – Bodan McFadden, F, Moncton, NB

Round 10 – Liam Bowles, D, Island View, NB

Round 12 – Mason Wohlers, D, Somers, CT, USA

The next event on the hockey operations calendar for the Islanders is the 2026 CHL Import Draft, scheduled for June 30.

The support from Islanders fans continues to play a vital role in the success of our organization, and we are excited to announce the five winners of our Early Bird Prize Draw.

Winners can claim their prize by emailing info@charlottetownislanders.com.

Although the Early Bird draw has concluded, Season Tickets for the 2026-27 season remain available for purchase online and in person at the Eastlink Centre Box Office. Secure your seats today and join us for another exciting season of Islanders hockey at the Eastlink Centre.

“Partnering with the Islanders is an absolute pleasure for us, we are excited to be part of the draft and land the next Gen talent! ! GO ILSES GO!” - Joel Ninaber, President of Ninaber Construction LTD

The QMJHL Draft marks the beginning of the next generation of stars entering the league, with all 18 teams selecting the future of their franchises. Last season, the Islanders selected Antoine Provencher 7th overall, and this year the club will head to Halifax holding the 11th overall pick.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Ninaber Construction Ltd. for such an important event on the hockey calendar,” said Taylor Stewart, Director of Corporate Partnerships with the Charlottetown Islanders. “Their continued support and passion for the Islanders organization helps make opportunities like the QMJHL Draft possible, and we’re excited to work together as we welcome the next generation of talent to our team.”

 

Voted on by fans during each game throughout the season, the Paul Davis Difference Maker of the Game highlighted the player who had the biggest impact when it mattered most. At season’s end, Leek stood above the rest, earning the nod six times to lead all Islanders players.

In his final season of major junior hockey, Leek delivered a standout campaign, finding the back of the net 47 times and consistently rising to the occasion in key moments. Known as “Big Diesel,” his presence was felt every night, whether it was scoring timely goals or driving the team’s offensive push.

A true difference maker in every sense, Leek’s performance this season made him a deserving recipient of this inaugural award and a player Islanders fans won’t soon forget.

Joining the team in January, Ryabkin made an immediate and electrifying impact, quickly establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players in the QMJHL. Despite playing just 20 regular season games, the 2025 2nd round NHL Draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes recorded an incredible 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists), while adding 4 game-winning goals and 44 penalty minutes.

Ryabkin’s chemistry with linemate Nathan Leek became one of the most dangerous combinations in the league, providing a consistent offensive spark and creating excitement every time they stepped on the ice. His ability to control the pace of play, generate scoring chances, and deliver in key moments made him a standout among first-year players.

He carried that momentum into the playoffs, adding 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in just 6 games, further solidifying his impact on the team’s success.

This award recognizes the first-year Islander who has made the strongest impression through skill, determination, and work ethic, and Ryabkin exemplified all three from the moment he arrived.

The Islanders would like to thank Max 93.1 FM for their continued support in recognizing the next generation of talent within the organization.

Leek played a pivotal role in the Islanders’ success this season, delivering an exceptional offensive performance while serving as a consistent and reliable presence in all situations. The 20-year-old forward recorded 47 goals and 84 points, finishing among the top scorers in the QMJHL and leading the charge offensively for Charlottetown.

Night in and night out, Leek proved to be a difference-maker. Whether it was scoring timely goals, generating offence, or leading by example, his contributions were critical to the team’s performance throughout the season.

His 47 goals also rank 4th all-time in franchise history for a single season, further cementing the significance of his standout campaign.

Leek’s leadership, work ethic, and ability to rise to the occasion made him a natural choice for Most Valuable Player.

The organization congratulates Nathan on an outstanding season and thanks Arsenault Bros Construction for their continued support.

In a moment that perfectly captured the excitement and skill of Islanders hockey, Campbell put on an incredible display of determination, going end-to-end through the opposition with speed and control. After creating the chance, Butler was right where he needed to be, pouncing on the rebound and finishing the play in style.

The sequence showcased not only individual talent, but the chemistry and awareness that define this team. From Campbell’s relentless drive to Butler’s quick reaction in front, it was a play that had fans on their feet and will be remembered as one of the top highlights of the season.

Congratulations to Ross and Matt on a well-deserved honour!

Voted on by his teammates, this award is a true reflection of the impact Hickey has had inside the locker room this season. His dedication, consistency, and team-first mentality have earned him the respect and admiration of everyone around him.

Already recognized by the coaching staff as the team’s Hardest Working Player, Hickey’s influence extends far beyond his on-ice performance. His work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to his teammates have made him a cornerstone of the Islanders’ success this season.

A fan favourite and leader by example, Hickey’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, making him a well-deserving recipient of this year’s Players’ Player of the Year honour.

The Islanders would also like to thank Murphy’s Pharmacy for their continued support.