The Cape Breton West Islanders are set for another season! The Hawk will also have a chance for kids to become the 7th Player for each home game at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood. (No hockey experience is needed, just a love of the game)
The Islanders have announced that Creignish native Nick MacNeil will join them as the Skills Coach and Hockey Adviser.
Nick has an extensive playing career. He is an original “West” Islander having played two seasons with the Islanders starting with the 2005-06 season.
He was then drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles when he spent four seasons playing a total of 294 games. Nick then attended UNB where he played four seasons for legendary Coach Gardiner MacDougal winning two CIS titles.
He also played on Canada’s National University team which won a Gold Medal at the World University Games in Milan, Italy. After graduation Nick played four seasons in the ECHL including two with the Norfolk Admirals where he played for former NHL Coach Robbie Ftorek.
Nick’s coaching career began in 2017-18 as an Asst Coach under Telus Cup winning Coach Kyle MacDonald. Nick took on the Islanders Head Coaching position the following two seasons.
In 2021-22 he advanced to an Asst Coach position with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL and for the past three season held the same position with the Cape Breton Eagles.
Nick holds his High-Performance Coaching Certification, has coached in the Hockey Nova Scotia High Performance Program, and this summer took the Hockey Canada Skills Certification Course in Calgary, Alberta.
Below is the Cape Breton West Islanders upcoming home game schedule:
