The Moncton Wildcats have traded defenceman Cameron Holyoke to the Charlottetown Islanders in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick, the Islanders announced Monday.
Holyoke, born in 2009, is a left-shooting rearguard listed at 6-foot-1. The move removes a player from Moncton’s defensive depth chart while adding a draft asset for the Wildcats in 2028.
Islanders say player fills both present and future needs
Islanders president and general manager Scott Harris said the club sees Holyoke as part of both its present roster and the foundation for future defensive units. In the team release, Harris emphasised the attributes he hopes Holyoke will bring to Charlottetown’s back end.
“We’re very excited to add Cameron Holyoke to our organization. We see Cameron as another strong addition to our back end and a player who can contribute to both our current team and the core we are building for sustained success in Charlottetown,” said Harris.
Assistant general manager and head scout Kevin Hill described Holyoke as an immediate-impact player who can influence play at both ends of the ice. Hill highlighted the combination of size, mobility and hockey sense in his assessment.
- Position: Defence
- Born: 2009
- Height: 6'1"
- Shot: Left
- Consideration: Traded for a 2028 fourth-round pick
From the Islanders’ perspective, the acquisition is meant to bolster a defensive corps that they say must skate well, close gaps quickly and move pucks north to generate offence. The team also noted Holyoke’s ability to play effectively in all three zones.
What the trade means for Moncton fans
For Wildcats supporters, the transaction represents a loss of a young defenceman and the conversion of a prospect into a future selection. The immediate roster impact for Moncton will depend on how the Wildcats choose to use the draft pick, and on the internal development of their remaining defensive prospects.
The two clubs are scheduled to meet in Charlottetown for the Islanders’ home opener on Sept. 18 — a game that will now feature Holyoke opposite his former Moncton teammates. Islanders season tickets and 15-game packs for 2026-27 are listed as on sale in the release.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Cameron Holyoke (D) |
| From | Moncton Wildcats |
| To | Charlottetown Islanders |
| Return | 2028 4th-round draft pick |
| Notable attributes | 6'1", left shot, two-way, mobile |
The Wildcats organisation has not released a team statement in the Islanders’ announcement. The club will have time to incorporate the draft pick into its long-term planning, and local observers will be watching training camp and the roster moves that follow to see how Moncton replaces Holyoke’s minutes.
As the QMJHL season approaches, transactions such as this one underline the league’s dual focus on winning in the short term and cultivating prospects for future success. For Moncton fans, the early-season match-up in Charlottetown will offer a first look at how both clubs have reshaped their rosters over the summer.
