Peter Williams

With Ellerslie native Morgan Ellis recently getting drafted by the Montreal Canadiens here’s the story of another Islander defenseman who, in 1972, was picked by the other historic Canadian hockey club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Born: March 13, 1952 - Charlottetown
Position: Defense
Height: 6.00
Weight: 192

Peter Williams junior hockey experience was a memorable one. From 1968-71 the offensive minded defenseman patrolled the blue line for the powerful Charlottetown Islanders of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. In Williams final year with the team they made it all the way to the Centennial Cup, now the Royal Bank Cup, championship game losing in a heartbreaking 4-2 game to the Red Deer Rustlers. In his last year of junior eligibility he played for the UPEI Panthers were he put up a respectable 19 points in 27 games. Retired Hall of Fame goalie Johnny Bower, a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was impressed by Williams play and on June 1972 Tulsa Oilers GM Ray Miron informed Peter that the Leafs had drafted him with their 8th round, 123rd overall pick. This would be the highlight of Williams’s hockey career.
Prior to the 1972 NHL season Williams was invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp where he signed his first pro contract worth $15 000 year with $6 000 in signing bonuses. The Leafs sent him to the Tulsa Oilers where he played the full 72/73 season garnering only 14 points while adjusting to the new level of play. The following season he followed Toronto’s farm team when they moved to Oklahoma City and were renamed the Blazers. After only one year with the Blazers William’s career with the Maple Leafs organization came to an end.
In 1974 Peter was recruited by Forbes Kennedy to play with the Winston-Salem Polar Twins of the Southern Hockey League. Playing with fellow Islanders Jamie Kennedy, Bob MacGuigan and Don MacAdam he enjoyed an exceptional season racking up 36 assists and 42 points. After one more year with the Polar Twins Williams retired from pro hockey. He returned to PEI and played senior hockey in Charlottetown until hanging up his skates for good.

Evan Cheverie

Evan Cheverie is an example of a Charlottetown native who chose a different route in professional hockey. After a brief stint in the AHL, Cheverie packed his bags and headed to Europe. Here is what he had to say about the experience,
I am enjoying the European hockey so far. I have played in England, France, Norway and have played against teams in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The hockey in Europe is quite different from North America. The ice surfaces are larger so the games are generally faster skating and the players have higher skill level. Also the hockey over here is not as physical, clean body checks are sometimes mistaken for dirty hits and unwarranted penalties are called. There season consist of less games typically 40-50 regular season games instead of 70-80. Also the travel is typically much easier in Europe.

Most memorable hockey moment,

I have had many memorable moments in my hockey career. It is hard to single out one as the best. I guess scoring my first AHL goal, that was something special. I scored another goal later in that game, it was a confidence builder to score at that level. I also remember scoring an OT winner when I played at Miami Univ. There was only 7 seconds on the clock, the fans went nuts it was exciting.

Biggest influence,

I have had a lot of coaches, teammates, friends and of course my family especially my Mom and Dad who have had a positive impact my career. My parents have been the biggest help by guiding and supporting me along the way. They helped build the foundation, making sure i had a strong work ethic and positive attitude. What else can a young aspiring hockey player ask for.

Why Europe?

I had many offers to play in various parts of Europe early in my career. I chose to go to Europe after i played three years splitting time in the AHL and ECHL. I had an opportunity in 2005-2006 to play pro hockey in England for the Coventry Blaze. I was able to obtain a M.B.A at Coventry Univ. during my stay in Coventry. It was a great way to see another part of the world, play a high level of hockey and further my education. That's how my European career started.

PEI Senators Reflect on Time in PEI

Graeme Townshend
“It was great. The people, the arena and city were great!”

Guy Gadowsky
“I had a great time and really love the area. Playing in the AHL in the Maritimes was awesome. The people are very knowledgeable and appreciative of good hockey, and they treated all of the players very well.”

Brad Treliving
“I really enjoyed PEI. We had a great group of guys and really liked the area.”

Tony Cimellaro
“I love PEI. You can’t beat playing in a Canadian city with amazing people. Our home opener the first year was special because it was the first big league game on the island. Also I stay in touch with a couple of guys off that team so great friendship created.”

Carl Valimont
“I remember that my son who is 15 now was born in PEI in march of 1994. I remember getting stuck on the ferry and being iced the the harbor. It was a good team although we missed the playoffs. Management was great. It was difficult to travel from PEI, so I was not surprised that the franchise did not last long.”

Jean-Francois Labbe
“The AHL was a lot of fun. It was a great learning time for me. I really enjoyed my time in PEI.”

Craig Woodcroft
“I remember it being very cold and snowy. The people were extremely friendly and supportive of the team. One story was when the bus got trapped on the ferry because there was to much ice between the boat and the dock. We were stuck there for hours at the time, it wasn’t funny, but in hindsight it was quite the experience.”

Darren Rumble
“I really enjoyed my year in PEI and can’t wait for a chance to return some day.”

Jarmo Kekalainen
PEI is a beautiful place, franchise was new there and fans were great! I really enjoyed my time, outstanding seafood!”

Coach Don MacAdam
“The Senators were not a very talented team and the Ottawa organization was only in its second year. So, it was frustrating not being able to put a quality team on the ice for the Island fans. We had one Island player on the team, Kent Paynter from Summerside. He was also the team captain and one of our best players. The only player that made a name for himself in the NHL off that team was Pavel Demitra.”

Peter Allen
“When I got called up from Richmond, Virginia, we were on a road trip. So, when I showed up, all I had were a couple of shirts and a track suit, which doesn’t do much against the cold of PEI in the middle of the winter. I had a great time and the people were really friendly.”


Much more on the PEI Senators to come!

Historical Night For PEI Hockey

This historical game was played in California on Wednesday, January 1 - 1974. The game featured 3 Prince Edward Islanders, Al MacAdam, Bob Stewart and Errol Thompson along with goalie Gary Simmons who was born in Charlottetown but grew up elsewhere. Even more impressive is that all 3 islanders had lengthy and successful careers in the NHL. MacAdam played 864 NHL games and was awarded the 79/80 Bill Masterton Trophy. Stewart patrolled the blue line in the NHL for 10 years while Thompson scored 43 goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 75/76 season.

Bob Whitlock

Born: July 16, 1949 - Charlottetown
Position: Center/Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 5.10
Weight: 175

The son of PEI hockey legends Roy “Buck” Whitlock, Bob Whitlock showed magnificent hockey skills of his own at a very early age. As a teenager Bob instantly stood out from the other players and at only 15 he left the Island to pursue a hockey career. In two seasons with the Halifax Jr. Canadians Whitlock scored an astonishing 128 goals and 271 points in only 115 games. For his last year of Junior hockey Bob left the Maritimes to suit up for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHA were he would again be a point per game player.
Although he went undrafted Bob’s skill was enough to impress the scout and in October of 1969 the Minnesota North Stars signed him to a $12 000 contract. Bob spend the majority of the 69/70 season with Minnesota’s farm team, the Iowa Stars of the CHL. He netted a respectable 26 goals and 54 points in 63 games with Iowa be highlight of his first professional season was a one game call up to the National Hockey League. Sporting the number 26 Bob failed to notch any points in the game but he did blast 3 shots on net and finished the game as a +1. Bob not only lists the game as the highlight of his hockey career but as the “greatest moment of my life.”
After playing the 70/71 season for the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League Bob joined the Pheonix Roadrunners of the WHL. It was in Pheonix were Bob exploded into a hockey star. He tallied 33 goals and 79 points during the season and won the 1971/72 WHL Rookie-Of-The-Year Award. It was also during this season in which he would began to earn a reputation for his powerful slap shot that was frequently known to break the plexi glass.
In the year 1972 the World Hockey Association was formed. The WHA brought new opportunity for many players and Whitlock was no exception. On February 12, 1972 the newly formed Los Angeles Sharks drafted Bob in the 10th round of the General Player Draft. Five months later the Sharks dealt Bob to the Chicago Cougars. Whitlock dressed for 75 games with Chicago for inaugural season of the Rebel League. He accumulated 23 goals and 51 points with a slap shot that was said to be one of the best in all of hockey.
52 games through his second season with the Cougars Bob found his way back to the team that originally drafted him, the LA Sharks. He was a point per game player during his stint in Los Angeles but the team relocated at the end of the year and Whitlock was transferred to the Michigan Stags then quickly claimed by the Indianapolis Racers in the 1974 expansion draft. The 74/75 season with the Racers was Bob’s best in the WHA. He lead the team in goals in goals,31, and points with 57. Indianapolis, however, sported the worst record in the league with only 18 wins through 75 games.
Whitlock left the Racers midway through the 75/76 season to join the Mohawk Valley Comets of the North American Hockey League. The following year he split the season between the Erie Blades and Johnstown Jets, the team that would be the model for the Charlestown Chiefs of the famed movie Slap Shot. For the next 3 years Bob suited up for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the Western International Hockey League. After a dozen 20+ goal seasons he retired from professional hockey.
Bob Whitlock currently resides in Trail, British Columbia were he owns a succesfull insurance company. He visits PEI from time to time and was recently inducted into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame.

3 Defenseman Bring PEI Touch to 2010 NHL Draft

Brandon Gormley: When Murray River native Gormley "fell" out of the top 5 Pheonix Coyotes GM Dan Maloney tried trading up to draft the defenseman, so when Gormley was available at pick 13 the Coyotes organization was estatic to have the opportunity to pick someone they had ranked much higher. "This was a very good pick," Maloney said. "I would say this was as good as we could ever expect." Although Gormley admitted to being nervous as he waited through 12 other picks he was still happy to join the Coyotes organization. "It wasn't a big deal to me," he said. "Regardless of the number you get, it's what you do after the draft. There's a lot of work to be done, and I couldn't be happier going to Phoenix." If one things for sure its that Pheonix will give Gormley the opportunity to develop at his own speed with little criticism coming from the press.

Morgan Ellis: While Gormley was drafted into the desert Morgan Ellis was drafted into the real hockey hotbed of North America, the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs chose the Ellerslie native with only their 3rd pick in the draft, 117th overall. Ellis, who was recently named captain of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles was “really happy to be drafted by Montreal,” and noted their generosity during an interview which “put them in a class of their own.”

Adam Polasek: With their 5th round, 145th overall pick the Vancouver Canucks picked PEI Rocket defenseman Adam Polasek. A member of the QMJHL’s All-Rookie team this season Polasek joins a Vancouver organization with a relatively small number of defensemen on their depth chart. With a lot of work Polasek, who has strong raw potential, could get his best shot at the big league with the Canucks.

Dave Hastings

Born: December 17, 1952 - Charlottetown
Position: Goaltender
Height: 5.10
Weight: 165
NHL Draft: 1972, 87th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers

Two Islanders were recently chosen in the 2010 NHL entry draft. Islanders have been hearing their name called at the draft for decades. Here's a look back to the first ever Prince Edward Island born goalie chosen.

Dave Hastings split the 1971/72 season between the Charlottetown Islanders of the MaJHL and Acadia University Axemen. His performance between the pipes was exceptional and the Philadelphia Flyers drafted him 87th overall in the 1972 entry draft. One of only a handful of PEI born goalies ever drafted to the NHL, Dave graduated from Acadia university in 1974 and excelled in both sports and studies as he was on the University’s Dean’s list. Hastings never pursued a career in hockey and retired from the game after graduating. He was later named to Acadia’s Hockey Honor Roll, the Hall of Fame in hockey for the institution. He currently resides in Fall River, Nova Scotia.