Mitch McLain has been named the fourth captain of the 91原创 91原创 Junior 鈥淎鈥� Hockey Club since the franchise moved to 91原创 in 2011.
McLain enjoyed his first season in a 91原创 uniform in 2012-2013 and was an assistant captain by years鈥� end.
鈥淚t is an honour to come back and lead this team,鈥� McLain said.
鈥淭here are a great group of guys coming back for another season and it means a lot that coach Bobby, Kurt and the organization feel that I would be a good leader for them.鈥�
The Minnesota native had a fantastic rookie season racking up 14 goals, 18 assists for 32 points, but he will be the first to tell you that the only stat he is concerned about is wins and losses.
鈥淢y first season with the 91原创 was a very enjoyable one for me,鈥� he said.
鈥淔rom day one everyone in the organization has been great from the ownership right on down to the guys in the dressing room and that is all you can ask for.鈥�
91原创 head coach and general manager Bobby Henderson said that choosing McLain for the position wasn鈥檛 鈥渢oo much of a decision.鈥�
鈥淟ooking at his play down the stretch and through most of the year he started to emerge as a leader,鈥� Henderson said.
鈥淗e has all the attributes that we are looking for in a captain and at the end of the day it was a decision that made itself.鈥�
McLain has many qualities that every coach looks for in a player, Henderson said, including his work ethic and attitude.
鈥淢itch is an upbeat guy and knows when to keep the mood light and he knows when to focus and bare down,鈥� he said.
鈥淗e is just one of those guys that you can鈥檛 help but smile when he is at the rink.鈥�
McLain knows about the responsibilities of wearing the 鈥淐鈥� and already knows what kind of captain he wants to be, he said.
鈥淚 am a friend,鈥� McLain said.
鈥淪ometimes you have to delegate and speak up to get the boys going, but honestly I am a friend and I just want the guys to be comfortable around me.
鈥淎s a captain though, my job is to keep everybody on the same page and have the same goal in mind and that is winning a championship.鈥�
