The North Bay Battalion will have a new leadership core for the upcoming season.
To no surprise to many, defenceman Riley Bruce has been named the Battalion captain for the 2016-17 season.
Bruce is currently attending the Calgary Flames training camp. Battalion Head Coach Stan Butler believes it’s a natural progression for Riley who wore the A on his jersey last year.
“He’s the type of human being that we want our players to be able to look at and not only reflects our hockey team but reflects our community as well,” said Butler.
Among the other three assistants are Cam Dineen, Brett McKenzie and veteran defenceman Zach Shankar.
Shankar is the only lettered player in North Bay with Dineen at Coyotes camp and McKenzie with the Canucks.
The Prescott, Ontario product who has played two seasons with the Battalion and one season in 2013-14 with the North Bay Jr. Trappers, was shocked and thrilled to find out he will be wearing an ‘A’ this season.
“I got to wear an ‘A’ in pre-season but it’s obviously a great accomplishment to have a letter and I’m looking forward to it,” said Shankar.
“It’s a huge honour for me just seeing the guys in the past that have been captains and assistant captains and to be one myself is a huge honour.”
Shankar, McKenzie and Bruce all come from the Ottawa area and played against and with each other in minor hockey. Shankar believes that familiarity along with Dineen’s qualities will make for a solid leadership group for the Troops in 16-17.
“Cam is obviously a very easy guy to talk to so I think we will gel together well.”
The Battalion will face the defending OHL Eastern Conference champion Niagara IceDogs in the home opener on Friday, September 23rd. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
