Islanders Country getting fans closer to the team

The website Islanders Country may only be a few years old, but Nolan Reid says it’s already the place to go for Charlottetown Islanders news.

His passion for hockey and writing was behind his inspiration to make a site dedicated to the Island’s only major junior hockey team.

The site is already two and a half years old and already Reid is seeing the benefits, he said.

“It’s pretty successful – the Islanders fan community seems to be engaged with it and seem to appreciate the news I put out.”

John Marlen has been following the Islanders franchise for the past few years. He goes to Islanders Country updated news.

“The site provides fans with information that the official site just doesn’t have. It’s a blessing for Islanders fans and also fans on the QMJHL who want to follow our team.”

Reid started following the major junior team, formerly known as the P.E.I. Rocket, in 2006.

Watching the Rocket had a major impact on blogging, he said.

“I had a website dedicated to the Rocket a few years ago called “Let’s Go Rocket”, which also sort of inspired me to do it again for the Islanders. I know a lot about the team over years and want to share that with other diehards.”

Marlen enjoys reading Reid’s post-game stories, he said.

“They are well written, posted online quickly after the game, and have good interviews. Why wouldn’t anyone go to the site?”

Content is important for any blog, said Reid.

“It also is something I wanted to do as well, again going back to being unaffiliated with the team, I can break trades before they are made official by both the team and league, but verified by reliable sources via Twitter.”

Reid is also the Islanders reporter for the The Q News, a website dedicated to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The 23-year-old has had many memorable interviews, he said.

“It would probably be interviewing Daniel Sprong for the first time this season since coming back from the (Pittsburgh) Penguins.”

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft will take place in Charlottetown in June. Reid and the Islanders Country staff will be in attendance.

“Islanders Country will be the No. 1 source for Islanders news during the 2016 QMJHL Draft.”

Reid encourages fans to visit his website, www.islanderscountry.ca.