SUMMERSIDE, PEI — One of Summerside’s busiest arenas now bears the name of one of the Prince County city’s most beloved sons.
The ice pad at Credit Union Place is now known as Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena following a well-attended announcement on Aug. 16.
“The Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena is where kids in our community get their start in hockey,” said Gallant’s good friend Roger Ahern, who served as master of ceremonies. “It’s where they learn to skate, where they form friendships and lifelong memories are made.
“Now, for many years to come, they can look up at a one-of-a-kind role model (photo of Gallant on the wall at center ice) and truly dream big.
“Gerard’s career started right here in Summerside on a rink that looked a lot like this one. Today’s announcement is more than putting a name on a facility. It’s about giving our youth poise that they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to.”
Need to Know
Some facts about the Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena:
• One of two ice surfaces at Credit Union Place, a multi-purpose facility that opened in 2007.
• Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena is located adjacent to the Island Petroleum Energy Center.
• It is typically in use 10 months of the year.
Source: City of Summerside.
Gallant, the head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers, called the naming of the ice pad a great honor and said he’s very proud to have his name associated with the rink.
“I never dreamed of something like this happening,” said Gallant. “I have had a great career in hockey; it’s all I’ve done all my life, and I grew up here and at the (Summerside) Boys and Girls Club.”
“I never dreamed of something like this happening. I have had a great career in hockey; it’s all I’ve done all my life, and I grew up here and at the (Summerside) Boys and Girls Club.”
— Gerard (Turk) Gallant
As a youngster, Gallant, who grew up next to the former Summerside rink, Cahill Stadium, would volunteer to sweep the stands in exchange for ice time.
Gallant left home at age 16 to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and went on to play over 615 regular-season and 58 playoff games in the National Hockey League.
After retiring as a player, Gallant returned to Summerside, coached the Western Capitals to the 1997 Canadian junior A hockey championship at Cahill Stadium and developed a passion for coaching.
The fact local youth will get lots of use in the arena carries extra significance to Gallant.
“I have grandkids, there are three of them here, and hopefully someday they will be able to get on this rink,” said Gallant. “The boys (grandsons) have been on it a few times, so I’m sure it’s going to be special for them.
“Like I said, I grew up here, this is my home and I’ll be driving by and looking at the sign outside and to come in here and see that picture, it means a lot.”
One of the frequent users of the Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena is the Summerside minor hockey program. President Doug Dexter was enthusiastic in his praise for Gallant.
“He is someone the kids can look up to, someone they can meet on occasion and see whether it’s minor hockey related or all the great work he’s done with the Boys and Girls Club,” said Dexter. “It’s a really nice situation for the children to see that it is possible to pursue interests and dreams and nothing is too out of the realm of possibility if you have the dedication, desire, some of the attributes Turk has demonstrated over the years.”
Bio
Gerard (Turk) Gallant bio
• Won gold at the 2007 world men’s hockey championship as an assistant coach with Team Canada.
• Assistant coach of the New York Islanders from 2007 to 2009.
• Coached the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2011.
• Assistant coach of the Montreal Canadians from 2012 to 2014.
• Named head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2014 through until 2016.
• Nominated for the Jack Adams Award in 2016 after coaching the Panthers to a division title.
• In April 2017, named as the first head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2017-18 season.
• Coached the Golden Knights to a Pacific Division title in 2018 and led them to an appearance in the Stanley Cup final. This has been noted as one of the most successful debut seasons for an expansion team in North American professional sports history and ultimately resulted in Turk winning the NHL’s prestigious Jack Adams Award for coach of the year.
• Won gold at the 2021 IIHF world hockey championship as Team Canada head coach.
• In June 2021, named as head coach of the New York Rangers and led the team to the conference final.
Source: City of Summerside.
Jason Simmonds is a sports editor with the SaltWire Network in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @JpsportsJason.