The Weeks Jr. A Crushers have named Ontario native Mitchell Taylor, as their captain.
The 6'2", 201 lb defenceman from Newmarket, Ont. joined the Crushers last year in hopes of drawing some attention of universities. He played 52 games in the regular season for the Crushers earning three goals and six assists. Along the way he impressed the coaching staff with his attitude and ability.
"He conducts himself as a captain," said head coach Jason Malone. "He speaks his mind. He thinks it through. He's confident. He's very approachable. He has all the characteristics that I look for when you're looking for a leader to lead a team."
With nine former captains at the team's tryouts this year there was no shortage of quality leaders to choose from.
"There's lots of guys who can step up and lead, but at the end of the day you need a presence," Malone said.
That's something he says Taylor provides.
"He has a great feel for the game. He knows when our guys need to slow down or when we need to pick it up," Malone said.
Taylor, who is in his 20-year-old season, said he was honoured to be chosen for the position.
"I hope to lead by example on and off the ice," he said.
Taylor was not born into a hockey family but started playing at a young age and soon showed an aptitude for the sport.
He was assistant captain during his midget year and went on to play in the Ontario Junior Hockey League before joining the Crushers last season.
He describes his style on the ice as a "defensive defenceman" who takes care of his own end. Off the ice he is studying human kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University. His goal is to move on to play and study at a U.S. university next year, and he knows that having a strong season with the Crushers this year will enable him to do that.
The Crushers team is younger this year than it has been the past two seasons and expectations from outside aren't as high for the team, but Taylor and Malone both hope they can surprise a few people.
The team will be having their first preseason game tonight against the Truro Bearcats at 7:30 p.m. at the John Brother MacDonald Stadium.
With the Crushers preparing to make their final cuts in the next week or so, Malone hopes to see the players make choosing a tough decision for him.
"It's an opportunity for guys to step up," he said.
