Right winger Justin Brazeau will be wearing the ‘C’ for the North Bay Battalion this season, the club announced on Tuesday.
Brazeau, a 20-year-old native of New Liskeard, succeeds defenceman Riley Bruce to become the fifth captain in the Battalion’s North Bay history. Barclay Goodrow, who also filled the role in the club’s 15th and final season in Brampton, was the first, in 2013-14, followed by Marcus McIvor and Mike Amadio.
Centre Matthew Struthers and defenceman Cole Cameron were named full-time alternates, while centre Kyle Potts, for home games, and left winger Brad Chenier, on the road, are to split duties as alternate captains.
“It’s a huge honour to be chosen as the captain of the team,” said Brazeau on Battalionhockey.com.
“Growing up just dreaming of playing in this league and now having the opportunity to be able to lead a team, it’s something special. I’m excited for the opportunity and the year ahead.”
Stan Butler, director of hockey operations and head coach, felt naming Brazeau to follow in Bruce’s footsteps made sense.
“It’s his fourth year of playing here, and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” Butler said about Brazeau, who recently returned from a Free Agent tryout with the San Jose Sharks.
“He’s worked hard in the gym and on the ice. He’s a model citizen and a leader for us. He’s an example of what we want our players to be.”
Brazeau, six-foot-six and 226 pounds, led the Troops in scoring last season with 39 goals and 36 assists for 75 points in 68 games. A 13th-round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection from the New Liskeard Cubs major midgets, he has scored 67 goals and earned 58 assists for 125 points in 200 OHL games.
Eleven players served as the captain with Brampton before Goodrow, including Jay McClement, Ryan Oulahen, Wojtek Wolski and Cody Hodgson.
The Battalion opens the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday against the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs.
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