UPEI Panthers recruit home-grown talent and former Islanders captain Keiran Gallant
The UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers are thrilled to welcome PEI native and former captain of the Charlottetown Islanders, Keiran Gallant, to their team for the 2023–24 season.
The prospect of wearing UPEI Panthers green was something that the 20-year-old forward often dreamt about growing up. His eyes would light up as he watched his hometown heroes battle on the ice while representing their school and province with pride. Now he’ll finally get the opportunity to do so this fall.
Like Gallant, the Panthers are also beginning a new chapter, as many of the key players who thrilled fans during a U CUP run have since moved on. So, it seems fitting that an Islander is the first recruit to usher in a new era of UPEI hockey.
“It’s a big honour to play for the Panthers. Growing up in PEI, I always heard of the Panthers, and dreamt of someday being among those players,” Gallant said. “I feel proud that I get to play for my home province again.”
Gallant has already made a name for himself on home ice, as he spent the last four seasons with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 186 games with the Charlottetown Islanders, Gallant posted 30 goals and 58 assists. This season was his best yet, as he captained the team and finished the year with 39 points (15G, 24A) in 67 games.
Head coach Forbes MacPherson wants his team to continue to play fast, while constantly pressing the opposition, and Gallant is the first piece of that puzzle.
“We like our team to play fast with the puck and faster without it,” MacPherson said. “Keiran plays that way, so he will not only fit right in, but he’ll help us incorporate this style of play to a new group.”
More importantly, MacPherson was drawn to Gallant’s workmanlike approach to the game, which is exactly what the team needs in a transitional year.
“Keiran is an extremely hardworking player with strong character,” MacPherson said. “He’s been on a team that has had a lot of success and is well coached. He’s been used in many situations and has been in a leadership position, so he checks a lot of boxes for us.”
That workhorse mentality is critical to Gallant’s game, as the forward won’t overpower the opposition with his five-foot-eight frame. But what he does bring is speed and a high hockey IQ. And in a tougher league like Atlantic University Sport (AUS), that could give him a leg up.
“I’m a fast, tenacious player who never quits,” Gallant said. “I know the step up from junior to university is a big change, but I’m going to give it everything I have and hopefully have a great season with the team.”
Gallant is one of the few who get live out a dream, and like many Panthers before him, the next dream is to bring a championship back home.
