World’s future stars in Charlottetown for next weekPublished Jun 14, 2025 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 4 minute readFred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. FileHockey’s elite young talent from all over the world will be here in Charlottetown for the next week for the 30th annual Andrews Growth Showcase.This year is much different from other years in that it is by invitation only, bringing together a talented group of select players – 220 of the best 15-and-16-year-olds from North America, Europe, Asia, Russia and Sweden.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe majority of these players have been drafted by the major-junior teams in Canada and the NCAA. Fifteen NHL teams have their head scouts in attendance – that speaks volumes.Josh Andrews, president of Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, has brought in highly-regarded 17-year NHL veteran executive Scott Harris, who got his start with Doug MacLean in Columbus.Harris is working with Josh in elevating this Showcase into a gotta-see spectacle. Their goal is to bring all the best young talent under one roof; put eight competitive teams together, and judge for yourself, just as if you were a scout.Admission is free, and game action runs daily at MacLauchlan Arena on the UPEI campus from 2:45 p.m. through the evening. Visit the Andrews Hockey website for schedules, rosters, and player profiles.“This is a must-see event for all NHL clubs,“ said Charlottetown Islanders GM/head coach Jim Hulton, ”because of the concentration of elite talent.”Article contentHulton is part of the Coaching Symposium, which features clinics, workshops, and behind-the-bench help from a host of high-calibre coaches like former Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel, David Cameron, Mike Kelly, Gord Dwyer, Devan Praught, Freddy Braithwaite, Forbie MacPherson, Alfie Michaud, and Latvia’s Lauris Darzins.Parents and families of the 220 players are from 18 USA states, eight Canadian provinces and eight international countries. They have been making arrangements for accommodations in Charlottetown and around the province – what a gift for tourism in the city and province!Stanley CupOn the other hockey front, the Stanley Cup continues and it’s hard to believe that the Florida Panthers are still able to maintain that level of intensity this late in the season.Game 5 now moves back to Edmonton on June 14 with the series tied 2-2. Most fans still believe Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can pull this series out.Article contentThe wear and tear on both teams is starting to show – as it should – in mid-June.Baseball IslandersOn the local baseball front, the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders are at home at Memorial Field against the visiting Moncton Mets on June 17 at 7:30 p.m.The Islanders lead the five-team league with a 6-2 (won-lost) record while the Mets are last at 2-6. The other clubs are bunched together as rain has played havoc with the schedule.The Islanders’ Logan MacDougall, Cole MacLaren, Nick MacPhail and Simon Dubois are all hitting .400 or better while Jack Kraft is a few ticks below that mark at 9-for-23.Tyson MacInnis and Duncan Picketts are also above .300, and seven of the league’s top-20 hitters are Islanders. No wonder, they’re in first place!Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are on a hot streak and two of my favourites – Ernie Clement and Addison Barger – have played key roles.Article contentBut the big man is catcher Alejandro Kirk, who has been on fire, hitting at a .400 clip for the past three weeks. Everything he hits finds a hole, whether it’s a grounder through the infield or a flare that hangs in the air and appears to have eyes.The Jays still need another starter to be a serious contender.Harness racing. . . Live racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown on June 14 at 6 p.m. There’s a terrific 14-dash card. Gold Cup elimination winner Save America headlines the $5,500 feature with Ken Murphy driving from Post 5 against toughies like Roll Em (Post 8), Blood Money (Post 6), Island Beach Boy (Post 2) and four others.. . . It’s North America Cup night at Mohawk. Dr Ian Moore’s duo of Prince Hal Hanover and Joel and Jets are drawing plenty of attention as is James MacDonald behind Lite Up the World. The purse is $1,000,000. The $40,000 opener has two horses that likely will be here Old Home Week – Soaring Now, co-owned by Blaine MacPherson and company, and Don MacRae’s Blue Hunt. Race 6 has Moore’s Tip of Time, co-owned by Shaun McIsaac, Alden O’Brien and company, against Th Kay C Crunch, co-owned by the Jamieson family and Anita MacDonald. Ouch, they leave from Post 9. MacDonald opted off Willys Home Run, who he won with last week to drive Ake Svanstedt’s Dial Square S. MacDonald did the same in the $100,000 Gold Cup, getting off Brue Hanover to drive Coach Stefanos. The Race 10 $390,000 Fan Hanover matches unbeaten Chantilly (J Mac) against Miki and Mini (Dexter Dunn).. . . At Georgian Downs on June 7, Charlottetown’s Jason Ryan posted a driving double and passed the 2,000-win plateau. Paul MacKenzie and Todd Ratchford also had wins on the card. Don’t forget June 20 at 5:30 p.m., when the Future Stars – two-year-olds – take to the track here at Red Shores.Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com.Article content
FIDDLER’S FACTS: Andrews Hockey Showcase takes centre stage in P.E.I.
