It’s not major junior hockey, but Kyle McGrath is having a barrel of fun skating in the Mary Brown’s St. John’s Junior Hockey League.
McGrath spent last season with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League following a fine major midget career with the St. John’s Maple Leafs.
The 19-year-old from the west end of St. John’s lit it up in the midget ranks, helping the Leafs win a trip of provincial championships, a league scoring title and a playoff most valuable player award, and MVP honours in the 2017 Atlantics.
It was the reason why the Charlottetown Islanders selected McGrath in the sixth round, 101st overall, in the 2016 QMJHL draft.
However, McGrath’s Canadian Hockey League career lasted only one season, and while he’s the first to admit he misses playing for Cape Breton (the Screaming Eagles had traded for his rights), he’s one player who has no regrets.
“It’s a lot of fun,” says the newest St. John’s Caps forward in the local junior circuit. “It’s a change, obviously, and a different pace, but I’m probably having more fun now that I have the past couple of years.
“I’m playing with guys I grew up with … Matthew O’Leary and Nathan Kenny. I played midget hockey with Dylan McKenzie. I really get a kick going to the rink. It’s a bit different considering how competitive I am, but it’s a lot of fun.”
McGrath’s major junior career effectively ended in the fall when the Screaming Eagles elected to cut him loose after one season.
"It’s a change, obviously, and a different pace, but I’m probably having more fun now that I have the past couple of years.”
Kyle McGrath
Placed on waivers, McGrath waited around Sydney a couple of days to see if any club was willing to give him a shot, but, alas, there were no takers.
Of course, there was always the Maritime junior A circuit, where the Valley Wildcats in Berwick, N.S., held his rights.
McGrath reported to the Wildcats, suited up in one exhibition game — in which he recorded an assist — but that was it.
“I can’t say anything bad about the Maritime league,” he said. “I gave junior A a try, spent a week there, but my heart wasn’t into it.
“I played midget with Evan White (of the St. Stephen Aces)) and he’s got nothing but good things to say about junior A. But I felt coming home and starting school was a smarter decision for me.
“I gave it a chance, and I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t want to regret not trying it years down the road.”
McGrath attended Charlottetown’s training camp in 2016 as a 17-year-old, and one of the Isles’ last cuts. On the day he was traded to Cape Breton, Dec. 29, 2016, he was recalled to the Screaming Eagles and appeared in three games.
“They wanted me to stay up for the rest of the year,” he said. “But I was in Grade 12 (at Holy Heart) and I couldn’t get my credits transferred, which means I wouldn’t have graduated that year.”
Last season, McGrath went into Cape Breton’s training camp confident of winning a starting job. He says he played his best hockey through camp and in the exhibition games, a top six forward getting time on the second power-play unit.
And then, in the second-last game of the exhibition season, against the Islanders, no less, McGrath fractured his collarbone and missed two-and-a-half months.
“It was early December before I played my first game,” he said, “so I was behind the eight-ball right from the get-go.
“I didn’t get the icetime I thought I’d get, which is understandable.”
McGrath finished the 2017-18 season with four goals and a couple of assists in 33 games.
Determined to get untracked, McGrath worked hard in the off-season under conditioning coach Bob Thompson, and reported to camp in top shape.
He was playing well from the start, but admits he didn’t finish so well.
“I don’t know if it was in my head the season I had last year or what,” he said. “And let’s be honest, it’s not easy to win a spot as a 19-year-old.
“I hate to make excuses, and I hate to say the reason I’m not playing is because of injuries, but …”
The Caps are struggling a bit this season at 4-7-3, but McGrath hasn’t missed a step. Through a dozen games, he has 14 goals and six assists.
On top of that, McGrath is also getting a crack at senior hockey with the Caps.
“Sure, I would still like to be in the Q. It’s every young hockey player’s dream,” he admitted, “but I’m very content now. I love being home around friends and family.”