Charlottetown Islanders open training camp

There's still plenty of cottage weather left on P.E.I. but Jim Hulton is thinking of snow banks and longrides in an ice-encrusted bus: It's training camp time for the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

But like that Charlie's Angels puzzle that's been at the cottage for years, coachHulton is building a teamwith twopieces missing.

"Last year it seemed like we kept waiting, and I was guilty of it, we left his stall there. We kept thinking, 'Today's the day Daniel is coming back,' and it almost became that security blanket we didn't have."

Hultonisn't expecting prolific scorer Daniel Sprongto return to the Island before Christmas if at all.

He's just had shoulder surgery andthe Pittsburgh Penguins organization are expected to give him more time in the NHL than the 18 games he played last season before returning to P.E.I.

'The constant debates'

Former goaltender Mason McDonaldhas told the Islanders he won't be back either, making the choice to start his pro career with the Calgary Flames organization.

Long-term for coaching is the next day ... Long-term for management is three years.- Jim Hulton

"You have to have the constant debates:what's good for us now, but what's good for us for the next three four, five years," said Hulton, who added the title of general manager to his business card over the summer.

"Long-term for coaching is the next day ... Long-term for management is three years."

Hulton does admit to one mistake last yearas afirst-year coach. He pushed his team to win every day early in the season, and that led to a mid-season slump.

"I think the challenge now is let's be one of those top fiveteams in the first half and see where it goes," he said.

The Islanders open their exhibition season Wednesday night against the MonctonWildcats at 7 p.m. at the PownalSports Centre.

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