January 25th, 2019, Charlottetown – Speed Skate PEI has named a pair of long track speed skaters to the Island’s 2019 Canada Winter Games team. Carter Bruce, from Stratford, along with Matthew McKenna, from Brackley, will compete on the outdoor oval in Red Deer’s Great Chief Park during week one, from February 16 to February 20.
Matthew McKenna (left) will represent P.E.I. in long track in Red Deer in February. Photo courtesy of Amanda Burke.
The selected skaters will each participate in up to five individual events, including Olympic-style races in the 500 metre, 1000m, 1500m and 5000m distances, plus a 10 lap (4000 metre) mass start race.
Carolyn “CJ” Jarock is coaching the P.E.I. team, after coaching the Nova Scotia long track team at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Jarock currently lives and coaches in Saskatchewan. “Carter and Matthew have been training hard for this opportunity to represent P.E.I.,” said Jarock. “With me on the other side of the country and the closest long track oval in Halifax, they’ve had to be very diligent about their own training.” Jarock says that many long track skaters across the country spend much of their icetime training in short track, with long track skating typically occupying the middle portion of the season when outdoor ovals can be maintained. “Our skaters are making the most of the opportunities they have and we’re all excited to get on the ice in Red Deer.”
Carter Bruce (foreground, centre) will compete in long track for Team P.E.I. at the Canada Winter Games. Photo courtesy of Kristen Binns.
Andrew Jack, vice president of Speed Skate PEI, says that the provincial organization is pleased that Islanders will be competing in long track at the Canada Winter Games for the first time since 2007. “With the 2023 Canada Winter Games coming to P.E.I., we think this is a great first step toward building a successful program for 2023 and beyond. We’re extremely proud of Matthew and Carter and the commitment they’ve shown. We congratulate them and wish them the very best in Red Deer.”
The Island skaters will take on their regional counterparts at the Atlantic Long Track Championships in Halifax this weekend.
Speed Skate PEI named seven short track skaters to its Canada Winter Games roster earlier this month.
For athlete profiles and photos, visit www.speedskatepei.com/canada-games.
