by Kathy Johnson
Cape Sable Island’s Brendan Nickerson and Morgan Messenger are among the 24 hockey players from Nova Scotia who were drafted by teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on June 2.
Nickerson was the top pick in the third round by the Sherbrook Phoenix, while Messenger was second pick in the sixth round by the P.E.I. Rocket.
“I’m pretty happy with Sherbrooke,” said Nickerson, who was on hand in Quebec City for the draft.
Nickerson had the opportunity to meet team members before flying home. “They’re a new team and they really seem to have everything together,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to be going there.”
Messenger meanwhile watched the Q draft on TV with his family at home in Centreville.
“I wasn’t even in the room when I was drafted,” said Messenger. “I had gone to the kitchen for something to eat.”
Messenger said he was “really happy” to get drafted by the Rocket. “It took a while to sink in,” he said.
Messenger, who plays forward, will report to the Rocket training camp sometime in August. Nickerson, who plays defence, will also report to training camp for the Phoenix in August. Both players will be going in with their game faces on.
“It will be a tough job to make the team, but I’m going to go and give it my all and see what happens,” said Messenger. “I hope to be in the line-up for the season,” he said. “That would be sweet.”
“I know I have to work for it but I think my chances of making the team are pretty good,” said Nickerson. “My chances are as equal as everybody else.”
In the meantime Messenger and Nickerson will be in training. Both Messenger and Nickerson played together last season with the South Shore Major Midget Mustangs.
Messenger also laced up for the Yarmouth Junior A Mariners, while Nickerson played with the Canadian Men’s hockey team at the World Youth Olympics in Austria, bringing home a bronze medal. Both players are 16.
