PEI Newsmakers – October 2026
Prince Edward Island athletes, coaches, officials, and teams continued to make their mark throughout October, delivering championship performances, earning national recognition, and representing the Island on the international stage. From record-breaking runs and international medals to national team appointments and historic milestones, Islanders once again demonstrated the depth of talent across the province.
The month kicked off with Brad MacKenzie being named an Assistant Coach for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, set to take place in December. The appointment adds another exciting coaching opportunity to MacKenzie’s résumé as he prepares to work with some of the top prospects in major junior hockey.
Julia Bovaird struck gold in the Women’s Masters event at the 2026 Atlantic Rowing Championships in Nova Scotia. Her first-place finish put an Island athlete on top of the podium at the regional competition.
Hockey official Zack O’Meara earned a valuable development opportunity after being selected to attend Hockey Canada’s Men’s Regional Official Program of Excellence (OPOE) camp. The program provides an opportunity for officials to continue developing their skills and progress along the national officiating pathway.
Team PEI Golf claimed the 2026 Atlantic Cup Golf Tournament title at Mill River Resort, finishing with an impressive 31.5 points. The championship performance brought the regional golf competition to a successful conclusion for the Island squad.
Young swimmers Ryan Reid and Ry Gorman earned places in the boys 13–14 age group on the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association’s list of the top 50 swimmers in Canada. The recognition highlights the pair’s accomplishments and the promising young talent continuing to emerge from PEI’s swimming community.
Emerging swimmer Erik Thompson was selected to receive Development Card status through Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program for swimming. The designation recognizes athletes who meet established performance criteria and provides support as they continue working toward higher levels of competition.
Team PEI hockey teams brought home three medals from the Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton. The U14 Female team captured gold, while the U15 Male and U16 Female teams each earned bronze. The three-medal haul showcased the competitive strength of Island hockey across multiple age groups.
Three PEI swimmers earned national development recognition as Ivy Ban, Erik Thompson, and Levi Wilmont were named to Swim Canada’s 2026 National Development Program ID Teams. The selections represent an important opportunity for the swimmers as they continue progressing through Canada’s high-performance swimming pathway.
Masters powerlifter Allen Profitt delivered an outstanding performance at the IPF Masters World Championships in Reno, Nevada, representing Team Canada on the international stage. Competing in the 120 kg category, Profitt captured gold in both bench press and deadlift, added bronze in squat, and secured the overall gold medal in his category. His four-medal performance capped an impressive showing against some of the world’s top masters powerlifters.
The pride of Rugby PEI Alysha Corrigan found the try zone as Canada edged England 24–21 during the International Rematch Tour in Toronto. Corrigan’s contribution helped Canada secure a hard-fought victory in an exciting international rugby matchup.
Hockey prospects Parker MacDonald and Declan MacLauchlan were selected to represent the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) at the 2026 East Coast Prospects Showcase. The selection gives both Islanders an opportunity to compete alongside some of the region’s promising young hockey talent and showcase their skills in front of a wider audience.
Chad McCormack made an impressive international debut in para-archery, earning silver in the men’s compound doubles event at the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Santiago, Chile. Competing alongside teammate Kyle Tremblay, McCormack reached the podium in his first international para-archery competition, marking a significant milestone in his sporting career.
UPEI Baseball continued its championship run, capturing their second consecutive Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA) Championship. The Panthers secured the title with a thrilling 4–3 victory over UNB in the final, earning another season of Atlantic supremacy. The team then turned its attention to the national stage, heading to Ottawa to compete at the 2026 Canadian National University Championships.
Speed Skater Jenna Larter added another national podium finish to her growing list of accomplishments, capturing bronze in the 500m at the Canadian Speed Skating Championships in Quebec. Her performance provided yet another highlight for Island speed skating at the national level.
Jack Roberts delivered a record-breaking performance at the PEI Marathon, setting a new course record in the half marathon with a time of 1:09:59. Breaking the mark with a sub-1:10 finish, Roberts produced a standout run for Island distance running.
Softball Coach Mark Quinn earned national recognition after being named a Pool Coach for the Canadian Men’s National Softball Team. The appointment provides an opportunity for Quinn to contribute to the development and preparation of athletes within Canada’s national softball program.
Para-swimmer Veronica MacLellan made history by becoming the first Island para-swimmer to achieve Senior National Team Card status through Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program. The milestone recognizes athletes who meet senior national-level performance standards and represents a landmark achievement for para-swimming in Prince Edward Island.
Standout Para-athlete Kristen Cameron was named to Team Canada for the Wheelchair Rugby Women’s World Championship in Paris. Her selection provides another opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage in one of the world’s premier wheelchair rugby competitions.
George Woods, recognized for multi-sport, and hockey athlete Kate Coade were named regional recipients of the 2026 Tom Longboat Award by the Aboriginal Sport Circle. The awards celebrate Indigenous athletes who demonstrate outstanding athletic achievement and serve as positive representatives of their communities.
Long time supporter of sport, Beryl MacMillan, received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in Ottawa in recognition of more than 40 years of volunteer service to PEI’s skating community. Her dedication over four decades reflects the important role volunteers play in supporting athletes, developing sport programs, and strengthening Island sport.
Atlantic university field hockey celebrated several Island achievements as Lacey MacLauchlan was named Atlantic University Field Hockey Coach of the Year and Kayla Batchilder earned league MVP honours. Charlotte Thompson, Molly Doyle, and Miah Lawlor were also named league All-Stars, recognizing their performances throughout the season.
The newly formed Maritime Elite Basketball League announced that a PEI team will join the league, creating another opportunity for Island basketball players to compete at a regional level. The addition represents an exciting development for the sport’s competitive landscape in the Maritimes.
UPEI Men’s Soccer Head Coach Mozzi Gyorio was named AUS Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year, earning recognition for his work in Atlantic university soccer. The honour adds to a strong month of coaching recognition for Island sport leaders.
At the Lift Insurance Hamilton Marathon on Halloween, Stan Chaisson finished first overall with a time of 2:29:45.
COMPLETE LIST
October 1 – Brad MacKenzie is named an Assistant Coach for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in December
October 3 – Julia Bovaird wins a Women’s Masters gold medal at the 2026 Atlantic Rowing Championships in NS
October 3-7 – Zack O’Meara selected to attend Hockey Canada’s Men’s Regional Official Program of Excellence (OPOE) camp
October 4 – Team PEI win’s the 2026 Atlantic Cup Golf Tournament held at Mill River Resort, finishing with 31.5 points
October 5 – Ryan Reid and Ry Gorman both earned spots in the Boys 13-14 age group of the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association’s top 50 swimmers in Canada list
October 7 – Erik Thompson been selected to receive Development Card status through Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program for swimming
October 11 – Team PEI Hockey Teams win three medals at the Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton: U14 Female (Gold), U15 Male (Bronze), U16 Female (Bronze)
October 14 – Three PEI swimmers are named to Swim Canada’s 2026 National Development Program ID Teams: Ivy Ban, Erik Thompson, and Levi Wilmont
October 15 – Masters Powerlifter Allen Profitt wins two gold (bench & deadlift), a bronze (squat), and the overall gold medal in the 120 kg category for Team Canada at the IPF master world championships in Reno, Nevada
October 16 – Alysha Corrigan Scores one try in Canada’s 24–21 Victory Over England on International Rematch Tour in Toronto
October 17 – Parker MacDonald and Declan MacLauchlan are selected to represent the MHL at the 2026 East Coast Prospects Showcase
October 17 – Chad McCormack made an impressive start to his international para-archery career in Santiago, Chile, earning a silver medal in the men’s compound doubles event at the Hyundai World Archery Para Series with teammate Kyle Tremblay
October 18 – UPEI Baseball wins 2nd straight ACBA Championship beating UNB 4-3 in the final game.
October 18 – Jenna Larter captures a bronze medal in the 500m at Speed Skating Canadian Championships in Quebec
October 18 – Jack Roberts set’s a new PEI Marathon Half Marathon course record with a time of 1:09:59
October 20 – Mark Quinn is named as a Pool Coach for the Canadian Men’s National Softball Team
October 22 – Veronica MacLellan reaches Senior National Team Card Status in Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program for Para-swimming
October 22 – Kristen Cameron named to Team Canada for Wheelchair Rugby Women’s World Championship in Paris
October 24 – George Woods (Multi-sport) and Kate Coade (Hockey) are named 2026 Tom Longboat Award Regional Recipients from the Aboriginal Sport Circle
October 25 – Beryl MacMillan receives the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in Ottawa for her 40+ years of volunteerism across the PEI skating community
October 27 – Lacey MacLauchlan is named Atlantic University Field Hockey Coach of the Year, and Kayla Batchilder is named league MVP. Charlotte Thompson, Molly Doyle, and Miah Lawlor were named league All-Stars.
October 27 – The newly formed Maritime Elite Basketball Team announce that a PEI team is set to join the league
October 28 – Mozzi Gyorio named AUS Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year
October 31 – Stan Chaisson wins the Lift Insurance Hamilton Marathon with a time of 2:29:45