James Beaton, captain of the Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders, was called up to the Cape Breton Eagles to play his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.
March 03, 2021
-by Bill Dunphy
When COVID-19 hit last March, the ensuing restrictions and protocols took away some of the opportunities for young hockey players to further their careers.
James Beaton, the captain of the Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders, was one of those players.
The 18-year-old (as of Feb. 13) from Dunvegan received an invitation from Cape Breton Eagles last spring to attend the team’s rookie camp in September.
However, that camp was cancelled, denying the team’s new draftees and invites the chance to show their stuff.
Last week, Beaton got a call from Eagles GM Jacques Carrière to suit up with the team for the Feb. 23 game against the Halifax Mooseheads at Centre 200.
“It was like a dream,” Beaton said prior to an Islanders’ practice in Port Hood on Saturday.
“It was crazy – that’s where you want to be. The whole day leading up to it that’s all you can think of.”
Beaton was lined with Lucas Canning, of New Glasgow, who was a second-round pick by the Eagles in last year’s entry draft; and Trey Sturge, of Antigonish, who was a late-round pick and in just his third game with Cape Breton.
The fourth line was limited to just six shifts and was held scoreless in the game that saw the Mooseheads win 4-3 in overtime.
“What they told me afterwards was all pretty positive. They were happy with what they saw and told me to keep working,” said Beaton.
While the call-up came at a time when he’s been struggling to score a goal, Beaton said he’s hoping the change of pace will get the monkey off his back.
“A scoring slump is a funny thing. It gets in your head, like am I gripping my stick too tight or putting too much on myself? Playing with the Eagles was a big confidence booster though and I’m looking forward to getting on the ice.”
Unfortunately, there is uncertainty in the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League as to the future of the season following the COVID-19 lockdown in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Three teams, Dartmouth, Halifax, and Cole Harbour, are not allowed to play hockey under the new restrictions.
The remaining five teams were hoping to continue playing, but apparently there is a revision to the restrictions coming out that will not allow HRM players/coaches to participate with teams outside HRM, which would affect the Valley Wildcats, South Shore Mustangs, and Pictou County Weeks.
If the schedule remains unchanged, then Cape Breton West will play Pictou in New Glasgow this Saturday. The two teams play again on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood.
The Islanders are scheduled to play South Shore in Port Hood on Mar. 13 and 14.
