Phone call changed Charlottetown Islanders associate coach’s career path

Kevin Henderson happy to be staying with QMJHL team while raising young family in P.E.I.

It was a conversation that changed Kevin Henderson’s career path. And if Henderson had not made that phone call, chances are the 39-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., would not have found a home in P.E.I. “I was going between going into firefighting or going into coaching,” said Henderson, who retired as a player following 2018-19 season. “I did one (firefighting) interview, and I got the position (in the Toronto area).”

Henderson’s wife, Emily (nee Moore), is from Cavendish, P.E.I. The couple met in Toronto late in Henderson’s playing career. Emily was working as a paralegal in Toronto at the time.

Henderson, who played four NHL regular-season games with the Nashville Predators and 10 seasons of professional hockey, took the firefighting course through the Professional Hockey Players Association while playing in the AHL and is an official certified firefighter. Love of hockey But with a passion for hockey and a desire to stay in the game, Henderson called his former head coach with the UNB Reds and current Moncton Wildcats head coach, Gardiner MacDougall of Bedeque, P.E.I., before accepting the firefighting position. Henderson asked MacDougall if he knew of any coaching openings.

MacDougall informed Henderson then-Charlottetown Islanders head coach Jim Hulton was hiring an assistant coach. Henderson reached out to Hulton, who coached against him in the OHL. “I was like, ‘Emily, we may have an opportunity to go back to where you’re from and back to P.E.I.,'” said Henderson.

“So, I called Jim and I did the Zoom interview, and I’ve literally been here ever since. “We got in the car, and we moved down to P.E.I.

We live out in Stanley Bridge, so it’s right around the corner from her family (in Cavendish), so it’s nice being close.” Promotion That was seven years ago. Now Henderson will have added responsibilities with the Islanders for the 2026-27 QMJHL season as he has been promoted to associate coach under recently-named head coach John Mitchell.

“Kevin’s taking a bigger role, which we’re really, really excited about,” said Islanders president and general manager Scott Harris. “We’re really fortunate to have Kevin on our staff. “He’s going to be a big part in helping John integrate and learning about the players in Charlottetown.”

Harris said Henderson brings a lot to the table for the Islanders. “He’s a young coach; he’s been invested and is part of the Charlottetown organization for a long time now,” said Harris. “We see this as an opportunity, not just for John to come in and take a step in his career, but also for Kevin to do the same.

I know that both Kevin and John are really excited to work together, along with their other staff.” Mitchell said Henderson’s experience with the organization will be invaluable. “He understands what the expectations are; the day to day that goes on there,” said Mitchell.

“He’s going to be somebody that I rely upon heavily, especially at the very beginning, but obviously, over the course of the entire season, he’ll be a big instrumental piece to our coaching staff.” Happy to stay Henderson is thrilled to be staying with the Islanders. “I was very thankful Scott and John want me to stay on,” said Henderson.

“It’s a great honour for me (to be associate coach). “I’m excited for the opportunity and also excited for the new direction of the Islanders.” Henderson is looking forward to working with Mitchell, who played 566 NHL regular-season and playoff games.

“He brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and a proven commitment to player development,” said Henderson. “I am excited to support his vision for the team and to work together in building a culture of accountability, hard work, and success. “I look forward to collaborating with John, our staff, and our players as we strive to help the Islanders reach their full potential, both on and off the ice.”

Grateful Henderson extended his gratitude to Hulton for the opportunity to begin his coaching career with the Islanders. “Obviously an amazing person to learn from, Jim’s one of the best junior coaches in hockey,” said Henderson. “I cherished the opportunity to learn from him, but now I’m excited to learn from John.”

The opportunity to remain in P.E.I. also means a lot to Henderson. Henderson proudly noted all three of his and Emily’s children – Jake, 4, Lily, 2, and Noah, two months – have been born in P.E.I. – and Emily’s parents, Richard and Kathy Moore, live in nearby Cavendish. Henderson noted Richard never misses an Islanders’ home game at Eastlink Centre.

To further illustrate their commitment to P.E.I., the Hendersons are building a house in Cavendish. And Henderson has immersed himself into the P.E.I. lifestyle in his time living in Canada’s smallest province. During the off-season, he’s worked in lobster fishing, works at Andersons Creek Golf Course in Stanley Bridge, and tries to take advantage of P.E.I. summers as much as possible.

“I love the Island and, obviously, with homegrown roots here and it’s been great,” said Henderson. “To have the opportunity to stay with this great organization and also advance my career, we’re all very happy as a family.”