Jake Fletcher will be the captain of the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins during the organization’s 60th season.
Fletcher, a third-year forward who will turn 20 on Nov. 27, was one of the team’s alternate captains last year, with the intention that he would be the captain this season.
“It’s definitely an honour,” said Fletcher. “There are some big shoes to fill, and it’s definitely something I was working towards last year, being an alternate captain. I was really hoping I could be a good leader last year and that would lead into this year.”
Fletcher believes his work ethic and his vocal contributions in the dressing room will be strengths for him as a captain, but he will also try to lead by example at all times.
He doesn’t expect there will be added pressure as captain.
Fletcher spoke with last season’s captain, Lynnden Pastachak, about what to expect as captain, and he also plans to talk with Keegan Allison, the captain of two years ago.
While he hasn’t spent a lot of time thinking about being the captain for the 60th season, there is a special feeling associated with the distinction.
“I know it’s a big year,” said Fletcher. “We have a few things planned, and it looks to be a really competitive team that could go a long ways. I’ve just started thinking about it more in the last couple of days.”
Head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said Fletcher is a player who leads by example, and has an outstanding work ethic.
“He cares a lot about his teammates, and he cares a lot about the hockey club,” said Lewgood. “He’s just a guy who puts his best foot forward most days.”
The team will have five alternate captains this season. Kaelan Holt, a 20-year-old forward from Estevan who is entering his third season with the Bruins, will be an alternate for all games. Forward Michael McChesney and defenceman Jake Heerspink, who are entering their second seasons with the club, will wear an “A” for home games.
Third-year forward Zach Goberis and second-year defenceman Johnny Witzke will have an “A” for away games.
Lewgood said each of the alternate captains brings something different to the organization, ranging from the vocal contributions of Goberis and Heerspink to the experience of Holt. Witzke brings a great work ethic and McChesney leads by example.
Determining the alternate captains was a tough decision, Lewgood said.
“I know five (alternates) is an abnormal number,” said Lewgood. “That’s a lot more guys than you typically have, and you’d think that a team would be watering their leadership down by having so many, but in this case, I feel like we’ll have other guys we’ll look to for leadership.”
