Three Cape Breton Eagles players involved in car accident

Scary news involving some of the veterans of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.

On Tuesday, the Cape Breton Eagles released a statement revealing that three players were involved in a car accident on Monday afternoon. According to a release, the incident involved forwards Angelo Fullerton and Lucas Romeo, and defenseman Brayden Schmitt. On their way to Cape Breton, the trio were driving on Highway 104 when they were involved in a multi-vehicle accident. They were taken to nearby St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Fullerton and Romeo were both released from the hospital. However, Schmitt is still at the hospital, and is currently under observation for his injuries. The Eagles say he is expected to be released over the next few days.

General manager Sylvain Couturier admitted the incident was a scary situation.

“As an organization,” Couturier explained. “We are relieved no one got seriously hurt. Right now, we are awaiting further updates from doctors and well take the situation one day at a time. We are grateful the occupants from the other vehicles were not seriously injured as well, and we thank the medical professionals at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and local first responders for their provided care.”

All three players are returners from last year’s team. Schmitt is the elder statesman of the team, as he will be entering his fifth season in the QMJHL. The 20-year-old spent over two seasons with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada before being traded to Cape Breton in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Last season, he led all Eagle defensemen in scoring with 49 points, finishing second on the team in assists (41) behind New Jersey Devils prospect Cam Squires.

Fullerton has played both of his two junior seasons with the Eagles, while Romeo was acquired from the Charlottetown Islanders back in January.