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Posted by: paulsoucy on 10/29/2009 11:21 AM
Updated by: paulsoucy on 11/02/2009 08:58 AM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM

Islander looks to dominate OUA while learning to adjust to new league

Prince Edward Island native Josh McKinnon explains he's no small fry.

By Paul Soucy
theclaw.ca
Twitter

Josh McKinnon is a towering defenceman for the Nipissing University Lakers hockey team. Hailing from Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island, he amassed 27 goals and 68 points as well as 318 PIM during 118 games through three seasons with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.

When it came time to decide which university he'd play for, McKinnon said he chose Nipissing because he was promised a more important role than if he had stayed with a bigger school back east.

“It just felt like I was more wanted up here,” McKinnon said “With a new team, I thought that I could step in right away.”

He said he could have chose to attend and play for the University of Prince Edward Island, but as a bigger school than Nipissing it would have been harder to crack their line-up.

Mike McParland, McKinnon's coach with the Lakers, said the 21-year-old has a lot of positives going for him as an intimidator in the OUA, who brings ample attributes to the team.

“His physical size is probably number one,” McParland said with a grin. “He’s a huge man, as well he’s very good on the Power-Play. He probably has the hardest shot on our team.”

McParland was able to lure McKinnon to Memorial Gardens because the coach spoke highly of the player during the recruiting process.

“He said he thought that I could come right in and step in and be a top player,” McKinnon said. “I took it as a compliment that he liked my ability. So it seemed like a good fit.”

NORTH BAY AN EASY SELL

North Bay is a great place to play hockey and attend school, McParland said, adding he thinks those were deciding factors in bringing him over from PEI.

“We talked him into coming to Nipissing because of what we could offer him as a school, city, arena and fan base,” McParland explained.

The former European League coach said he received a bit of help in landing McKinnon from his close friend, and teammate, Chad McQuaid.

“His friend was Josh McKinnon, so that worked out pretty well that we were able to get Josh and Chad to come to North Bay,” McKinnon said enthusiastically.

McKinnon admits playing in the OUA is much different than what he's used to in the Maritimes.

“The speed is definitely different. Guys are a lot older, a lot stronger,” McKinnon acknowledged. “You just have to adapt to it.”

McKinnon’s mother is head of the Narcotics Unit for the RCMP, and part of the reason he chose to come to Nipissing in the first place was because they offered a Criminology program.

“Growing up around cops and always being at the station kind of gave me a love for it,” McKinnon explained. “I’d like to follow in her footsteps. When I heard these guys (Nipissing University) had a Criminology program, it just fit right into my plans.”