September 13th, 2022
Drumheller, AB
Tuesday was a busy day for the Drumheller Dragons as they announced the leadership group for the upcoming year.
Just after noon, Tuesday, the Dragons announced that 20-year old forward, Sam Simard, would be the captain of this year’s squad. Joining Simard as alternate captains are Ty Whitford, Adam Raesler, and Ben Christian. Simard was a little surprised to be named as captain. “I was definitely surprised by it You never really know, especially coming into a new hockey season, you don’t even know if you are going to be play for the team in the end. I felt like me, and the guys along side of me, were a striving factor on who they chose to keep for this team in the end. It is an exciting situation for all of us.”
Christian notes that a veteran player, leadership is important and almost expected. “Obviously, when you’re an older guy, you’re put into that anyways. If you’re an older guy, you should be able to lead the way for the new guys coming in. I think it’s really important that we have such a good group together for this. We all know each other really well and I think we’re the right guys to do it.”
Raesler understands the importance of having the “A” on the jersey and the role associated. “it’s pretty important and a huge honour to have an “A”. I would like to be someone the young guys can look up to and be that shoulder, if anyone needs it. It’s a huge honour but we’ve got twenty something leaders in (the room) too, so it’s just as important off the ice as it is on the ice.”
Whitford comments that the whole room has a say in regards to team decisions. “Everyone on our team has a say. We four guys don’t just make the decisions, we include everyone in those choices we make so I think it’s a very important thing that everyone feels their voice is heard and can lead this team as a whole, not just four guys.”