Ice pad at Summerside arena named after local NHL coach Gerard (Turk) Gallant

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — One in every of Summerside’s busiest arenas now bears the title of one of many Prince County metropolis’s most beloved sons.

The ice pad at Credit score Union Place is now referred to as Gerard (Turk) Gallant Area following a well-attended announcement on Aug. 16.

“The Gerard (Turk) Gallant Area is the place children in our neighborhood get their begin in hockey,” stated Gallant’s good buddy Roger Ahern, who served as grasp of ceremonies. “It’s the place they study to skate, the place they type friendships and lifelong recollections are made.

“Now, for a few years to come back, they will search for at a one-of-a-kind function mannequin (photograph of Gallant on the wall at centre ice) and really dream huge.

“Gerard’s profession began proper right here in Summerside on a rink that appeared rather a lot like this one. Right this moment’s announcement is greater than placing a reputation on a facility. It’s about giving our youth poise that they will accomplish no matter they put their minds to.”

Gallant, the top coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers, referred to as the naming of the ice pad an incredible honour and stated he’s very proud to have his title related to the rink.

“I by no means dreamt of one thing like this occurring,” stated Gallant. “I’ve had an incredible profession in hockey; it’s all I’ve executed all my life, and I grew up right here and on the (Summerside) Boys and Women Membership.”

As a teen, Gallant, who grew up subsequent to the previous Summerside rink, Cahill Stadium, would volunteer to brush the stands in change for ice time.

“I by no means dreamt of one thing like this occurring. I’ve had an incredible profession in hockey; it’s all I’ve executed all my life, and I grew up right here and on the (Summerside) Boys and Women Membership.” — Gerard (Turk) Gallant

Gallant left dwelling at age 16 to play within the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League and went on to play over 615 regular-season and 58 playoff video games within the Nationwide Hockey League.

After retiring as a participant, Gallant returned to Summerside, coached the Western Capitals to the 1997 Canadian junior A hockey championship at Cahill Stadium and developed a ardour for teaching.

The very fact native youth will get a number of use within the area carries further significance to Gallant.

“I’ve grandkids, there are three of them right here, and hopefully sometime they are going to have the ability to get on this rink,” stated Gallant. “The boys (grandsons) have been on it just a few instances, so I’m positive it’s going to be particular for them.

“Like I stated, I grew up right here, that is my dwelling and I’ll be driving by and searching on the signal outdoors and to come back in right here and see that image, it means rather a lot.”

One of many frequent customers of the Gerard (Turk) Gallant Area is the Summerside minor hockey program. President Doug Dexter was enthusiastic in his reward for Gallant.

“He’s somebody the children can look as much as, somebody they will meet every so often and see whether or not it’s minor hockey associated or all the nice work he’s executed with the Boys and Women Membership,” stated Dexter. “It’s a very nice scenario for the kids to see that’s doable to pursue pursuits and goals and nothing is simply too out of the realm of chance when you have the dedication, need, among the attributes Turk has demonstrated through the years.”

Must know

Some information concerning the Gerard (Turk) Gallant Area:

• One in every of two ice surfaces at Credit score Union Place, a multi-purpose facility that opened in 2007.
• Gerard (Turk) Gallant Area is situated adjoining to the Island Petroleum Power Centre.
• It’s sometimes in use 10 months of the yr.

Supply: Metropolis of Summerside

Bio

Gerard (Turk) Gallant bio

• Received gold on the 2007 world males’s hockey championship as an assistant coach with Workforce Canada.
• Assistant coach of the New York Islanders from 2007 to 2009.
• Coached the Saint John Sea Canines to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2011.
• Assistant coach of the Montreal Canadians from 2012 to 2014.
• Named head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2014 by way of till 2016.
• Nominated for the Jack Adams Award in 2016 after teaching the Panthers to a division title.
• In April 2017, named as the primary head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2017-18 season.
• Coached the Golden Knights to a Pacific Division title in 2018 and led them to an look within the Stanley Cup last. This has been famous as one of the vital profitable debut seasons for an growth group in North American skilled sports activities historical past and finally resulted in Turk profitable the NHL’s prestigious Jack Adams Award for coach of the yr.
• Received gold on the 2021 IIHF world hockey championship as Workforce Canada head coach.
• In June 2021, named as head coach of the New York Rangers and led the group to the convention last.

Supply: Metropolis of Summerside

Jason Simmonds is a sports activities editor with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @JpsportsJason.