SLEMON PARK, P.E.I. — Two young hockey players from the Summerside area are pleased to be combining academics and hockey at a P.E.I. private school.
Kyrsten Coyle, who plays defence, is in her second year with the Charlottetown-based Mount Academy Saints under-18 female team, and Max Clark, a goalie, is in his first season with the under-15 male team.
"I love it,” said Coyle, 17. “It has been a great experience for me.”
Clark, who played under-13 AAA with the Summerside Capitals last year, said he feels the opportunity to be on the ice every day with the Saints is aiding his development.
“I probably would not have made (major under-15) AAA (this year), and I want to get better every day,” said Clark, 14.
Coyle and Clark were back playing in their backyard last weekend as the Mount Academy held the Big M Under-15 Showcase. The six-team event included the tournament winners Eastern Express, Prince County Warriors, Mid-Isle Matrix, Saints' under-15 male team, Saints' under-18 female team and the UPEI Panthers women's team.
Coyle
Coyle, a Grade 12 student, wants to play at the university level. That played a big part in her decision to attend the Mount Academy.
“I felt going to the Mount and playing in different parts of the (United) States, playing in different parts of Canada and getting on the ice and training (off the ice) every day would be better for my development for the future,” said Coyle.
The 17-year-old daughter of Pat and Lori Coyle of Linkletter said she feels her speed, strength and all-around play has improved since joining the Saints. She said strength is one area of improvement that stands out.
“I found I was weak coming into the Mount, but getting that (on- and off-ice) training every day really helps me,” said Coyle. “My battle (level) is better in the corners, and it is one thing I have improved on."
Kenny MacDougall, Mount Academy headmaster and head coach of the Saints’ under-18 female team, said Coyle keeps improving every year.
“She’s added strength for sure; she is a good skater; is strong defensively and defends well; she has a really good head for the game and is a super kid to work with,” said MacDougall. “If you watch her closely, she breaks up a lot of plays before they even get a chance to get started through the neutral zone with her ability to skate, her positioning and her hockey sense.
“We are quite happy with Kyrsten over her two years here, and she is developing into a leader for us as well.”
Under normal circumstances, the Saints would play some games in the United States, which would provide opportunities for players to play in front of college and university scouts from different divisions. COVID-19 has prevented that from happening this year, and the Saints have played exhibition games locally.
Coyle is also excelling academically, and made the headmaster's list in the first term of her senior year. Students who have marks of 90 per cent or higher in all subjects qualify for the headmaster’s list.
Coyle, who plans to take sciences at university and then study dentistry, said she hopes to finalize her plans soon.
“It is a real challenge this year with COVID because no one is graduating any players,” said MacDougall. “We are going to sit down and talk with her to come up with a plan to continue on her development path. She definitely has the potential and desire to get there."
Clark
Clark said he went through a transition period moving up to the under-15 age division. The son of Todd and Leah Clark of Summerside noted the pace of play is a lot faster than last year, and he said the shots are more challenging.
“I am pretty big for my age, so I play more of a butterfly style," said Clark, a Grade 8 student who stands around six feet and weighs 130 pounds.
Clark said one area of his game that has improved with the Saints is playing the puck. He noted that was one of his goals coming into the 2020-21 campaign.
“Last year, I was nervous about playing the puck, and this year I am a lot better at it,” said Clark. “(Assistant coach and former Summerside Western Capitals goaltender) Tim MacPhee really forced me to get out and play the puck.”
Clark said his goals for the rest of the season are to clean up some bad habits and work on his speed and movement around the crease.
“He is off to a solid start,” said Saints’ under-15 male head coach Chris Aiken. “He is getting some goalie ice once a week and working out with us.
“He has certainly improved from the start of the year to where he is now. I see a big difference in his confidence, and he is doing really well with us.”
That goalie ice that Aiken referred to is with Mount Academy goaltending development coach Nelson MacAulay. Clark said he enjoys the goalie-only sessions.
“(MacAulay) works on little things that you don’t get to work on in practice,” said Clark. “We also do goalie-specific drills outside of practice, which is good."
Aiken said there is a lot to like about Clark’s game, including his confidence and ability to read the play and react to rebounds.
“He has a pretty competitive spirit, so he helps us a great deal,” said Aiken.
