Brandon Gormley couldn't be happier and looks forward to competing in the Memorial Cup this year with the Shawinigan Cataractes.
The 19-year-old defenceman from Murray River, P.E.I. was dealt to the Cataractes from the Moncton Wildcats for six draft picks and Michael Matheson on the final day of the QMJHL trading period.
Gormley had just returned home from competing with Team Canada in the World Junior Champions in Calgary, Alta., winning a bronze medal. He was also named the tournament's top defenceman after finishing with three goals and six points in as many games.
The experience at the world juniors was unbelievable, he said.
"As a kid you grow up dreaming of playing in it and for it to finally come after years of not making the team…it was definitely worth the wait. It was a lot of fun and an experience I'll never forget."
Just a few days after the tournament had ended, Gormley was a member of the Cataractes.
The trade was a group decision, said Gormley.
"We thought it was best for my hockey career going forward and best for Moncton too. That's the cycle of junior hockey…I'm pretty thrilled to be here and part of this team."
Before his departure from Moncton, Gormley had 10 goals and 27 points in 26 games this season.
Prior to the Cataractes acquiring Gormley, they acquired fellow Prince Edward Island native Morgan Ellis from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Gormley found out about Ellis being traded while he was at the world juniors, he said.
"It was definitely in the back of my mind, if I did get traded there then I'd figured we'd be playing together."
Ellis is one of the top players in the league, said Gormley.
"It's pretty easy to play with him out there. He's a great guy, we communicate really well…I couldn't be happier."
Gormley knew Ellis from growing up in P.E.I., he said.
"That's the good part about coming here is playing with him. He's made the transition for me really easy."
Gormley and Ellis made their final stop to P.E.I. for the season, and possibly their junior career, on Friday Jan. 13 in an 8-2 win over the P.E.I. Rocket.
Gormley had two assists, as Ellis had a goal and an assist.
The Shawinigan Cataractes are this year's hosts for the Memorial Cup Championship. Gormley said it's a very exciting tournament.
"To get another crack at that is going to be good. Were all looking forward to it."
This will be Gormley's second Memorial Cup tournament as he helped lead Moncton to the tournament back in 2010 in Brandon, Man., but the team went 0-3 and was eliminated from the tournament.
So far in three games with the Cataractes, Gormley has two assists and a plus-five rating. The Cataractes are back in action on Friday Jan. 20 against the Quebec Remparts in Quebec.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
nolan@theqspot.ca
