Our 20’s – Charlottetown Islanders
Throughout the summer, the QMJHL will summarize the journey of its 20-year-old players. Today, the Charlottetown Islanders: Simon Hughes, Thomas Sirman and Nicolas Ruccia.
Simon Hughes, left wing
A second-round pick of the Sea Dogs in 2020 (38th), Hughes played only seven games with Saint John before being traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Then, midway through the 2022-2023 season, he was acquired by his home province team, the Islanders. This season, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound forward had 29 points (10-19) in 47 games, bringing his total to 111 points (56-55) in 233 QMJHL games. The Stratford native will be able to continue playing “at home” next year, with the University of Prince Edward Island.
Thomas Sirman, defenceman
Sirman was signed by the Islanders as a 20-year-old after spending the last three seasons in the OHL with the Ottawa 67’s. He had 24 points (4-20) in 51 games, third on the Islanders in scoring among defencemen, behind Marcus Kearsey and Owen Conrad. The Aurora, Ontario native will join Queen’s University next season.
Nicolas Ruccia, goaltender
A first-round pick of the Cape Breton Eagles in 2020 (17th), Ruccia played four seasons there before being acquired by the Islanders last summer. In Eagles history among goalies, he ranks fifth in games played and sixth in wins. This season, with the Islanders finishing 12th overall, he went 15-20-2-1 with a 3.13 GAA, .892 save percentage and two shutouts. And he served as a big brother to rookie goaltender Donald Hickey. After 176 games in the Q, he will play for McGill University in 2025-2026.
Photos: Mike Bernard
