Jim Hulton is no stranger to being on the water. Born and raised on Wolfe Island, surrounded by beautiful Lake Ontario. Coaching stops in lakeshore cities such as Belleville and Kingston. Most recently, a successful 11 season stint in Charlottetown as Head Coach and GM of the Islanders.
Now, Hulton has reached a new port of call; Saint John. What compelled the most successful coach in the history of PEI’s lone QMJHL entry to move on, not only to another league outpost but a regional rival?
“There were a number of factors,” Hulton says. “But really, I just think it was time. This opportunity arose and the expression that keeps coming back to my mind is “Sometimes a change is as good as a rest”. I feel rejuvenated and reenergized by making this move. It felt right on a number of fronts.”
A general but meaningful explanation, to be sure. Still, this is a team Hulton has battled dozens of times over the past decade. Past competitive run-ins can be easily forgotten, however. If anything, that old saying about familiarity breeding contempt can be seen as a positive.
“They do everything first class here,” Hulton opines of the Sea Dogs organization. “There are no corners cut. Everyone from staff to players is treated first class in every regard. I think it starts with Mr. (Scott) McCain at the Ownership level and everything filters down from there. I’ve been in the league for basically the same amount of time as (Team President and GM) Trevor and we’ve done a number of deals together. What impresses me with him is that he’s a quality person who makes sure all the details are looked after. As a player, you come in feeling comfortable in every surrounding.”
There are a couple of key similarities between the surroundings Hulton finds himself in with the Dogs and what faced him upon his first days in Charlottetown; both clubs have been labelled up and comers. They are also authors of long droughts in postseason play. While the Islanders had gone 11 years without a playoff series win when Hulton crossed the Confederation Bridge, the Sea Dogs faithful have waited almost a decade to see their team on the right side of a handshake line. And although there was a noteworthy difference inasmuch as Saint John captured the Memorial Cup as the host squad at the 2022 tournament, it only partially obscures the fact that a long run in the Port City has been a long time coming. It’s a situation Hulton views with the experience of one who has seen it before.
“I think that’s part of the excitement of the challenge,” he explains. “I think all of us are looking for challenges in this job and this is a big one. But the foundation of what we have to work with here is very impressive. Our job as a coaching staff is to create an identity and make it part of our daily (life).”
And what, exactly, will that identity be? To be fair, there have been a lot of players, several coaches and many personnel tasked with creating just that in Saint John. The answer will be second nature to Islanders fans, to whom the term “Hulton Hockey” isn’t just a catchphrase but a frame of mind.
“We want to be harder to play against,” Hulton begins. “We want to be grittier. We want to be really structured. Those are the fun aspects as a coach because those are the things you can touch upon. The other part is to infuse talent. None of us can do that but we have such a base of talent here that the rest, theoretically, should be easy. We know it’s not that easy but, with time and effort, I think this group will grasp it.”
The group is impressive. Impactful trades, drafting and overall development have delivered Hulton a group that features talent, experience and character at every position. How does the coach view things?
“I think the easy answer is that we’re a contender,” Hulton remarks. “It’s still to be determined how many contenders will be (in the league) because there’s parity. I just look at our (region) alone with what Cape Breton is doing, what Halifax is doing. Every night’s going to be a battle, but I think we’re right there with everybody. That’s the part that excites us.”
It does seem a foregone conclusion that there should be plenty of exciting times ahead in Saint John this season. And for Hulton, there’s also the day he returns to the place where he and the QMJHL became synonymous. Does he admit to having November 8th circled on his calendar?
“I could (lie to) you, but I won’t,” Hulton says with a laugh. “That’s going to be an emotional day. It’s going to be very strange, exciting, nervous. All of the above, really. I think to deny it, nobody’s going to buy that so it’s better just to be honest. It’s going to be more than just a regular season game in November.”
That special trip notwithstanding, a chat with Hulton makes it abundantly clear; regardless of the change of address from one port city to The Port City, it’s his ability to go with the flow that will play a factor in any resurgence at TD Station this season.
