The Drumheller Dragons are pleased to announce the leadership group for the 2017/18 season. With the new season set to get under way Friday September 15th against the Camrose Kodiaks, 3rd year defenseman Andrew Kartusch will lead the team as the newly appointed Captain.
Kartusch is the longest serving Dragon on the current roster. The 20-year-old Red Deer product is entering his third year with the Dragons playing 101 games in a Dragons Jersey. Assistant Coach Brayden Klimosko had this to say about the newly appointed captain, “Karts is a great leader on and off the ice. With his high compete level shift in and shift out, he will be a perfect leader for our new and returning players to look up to. He will be a tremendous captain for the Drumheller Dragons.” Kartusch logged a lot of ice as a 19-year-old last season and will be looked upon to play in all situations with the Dragons in what will be his final season of junior eligibility.
Assisting Kartusch this season as Alternate Captains are three returning players from last season’s team. Defenseman Gage Misskey, forward Jordan Taupert, and forward Markus Boguslavsky will round out the team letter wearers for the 2017/18 season.
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Misskey from Melfort Saskatchewan enters his second season as an alternate captain. The fearless leader is a consistent performer that will do anything for his teammates. In 54 games played as a first- year player, the aggressive defenseman amassed over 150 minutes in penalties to go along with 9 points.
Taupert is the most experienced player on the Dragons roster. With over 180 career games played in the AJHL, the Medicine Hat product is expected to lead the Dragons offensively. In three seasons, Taupert is 4 points shy of scoring 100 points. The 2016/17 season was his best season while in a Dragons uniform scoring 51 points to lead the team in scoring. The skilled centreman is ready for a breakthrough season and it won’t be a surprise to see him amongst the league leaders in scoring during the 2017/18 AJHL regular season.
Boguslavsky is also entering his second season with the Dragons and the Calgary product has shown throughout the preseason his ability to take charge and lead the room. In the final preseason game against the Brooks Bandits, despite being down by 2 goals heading into the third period, Markus scored the next two goals to send the game into overtime. In 49 games played last season, Markus totaled 22 points and 71 minutes in penalties.
Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg had this to say about the newly appointed leadership committee. “We are proud of the young men that will lead the Dragons into the new season. We believe we have a passionate and enthusiastic group that will leave behind a legacy for future Dragons to look up to. Our team will be led by committee from players that encompass the characteristics of the culture we are trying to establish. The support cast of leaders in our dressing room extends beyond just the four players mentioned, the future of the Dragons Organization is extremely bright.”
The Dragons regular season schedule can be found on our website www.drumhellerdragons.ca or on the Alberta Junior Hockey League website www.ajhl.ca. Come help kick things off and be a part of the Home Opener Festivities by joining us at the Kick off Tailgate Party Friday September 15th starting at 5:00PM in the BCF Parking Lot.
For more information please contact Nicky Faye at the Dragons Office nicky@drumhellerdragons.ca