Oh Captains Our Captains
Travis Konecny is one of two local players named captain of their respective hockey clubs this week, as the Clachan native was awarded the ‘C’ with the OHL’s Ottawa 67s – Photo by Terry Wilson/ OHL Images
Konecny, who is in his second OHL season, which is also his NHL draft year, has been selected as the captain of the OHL’s Ottawa 67s.
Hope, entering his third season in the NCAA, will serve as the captain of the Buffalo State Bengals. Last season, Hope was the Bengals’ assistant captain, and previously, he served as the captain of the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars. Last season with Buffalo State, Brett Hope collected 5 goals and 7 assists in 25 games, but is known as more of a defensive forward.
“It is a tremendous honour to be named captain of this team,” says Hope. “Last year being assistant captain was an honour to be a big part of an organization that is constantly growing. This year we lost a senior class that accomplished so much over their 4 years and now it is our job to continue the tradition and build on the foundation they have built for us. Coming in as a freshman not knowing anything about NCAA hockey to now being the captain has been an amazing life experience. It is also amazing to think how highly the coaching staff and my teammates think of me to name me captain. I am super excited to get this year started and see what we can accomplish this year,” the Junior forward continued.
Both Chatham-Kent Cyclones alumni, Hope of Blenheim, and Konecny of Clachan, will now take on additional responsibilities with their respective organizations.
Travis Konecny, who captained Team Canada at this summers Ivan Hlinka tournament, knows what it means to be a leader, and enjoys the role.
“I love to compete, I love being a leader,” Konecny told CKSN prior to the OHL season. “I know I’m young, but I can be a leader by making sure I go in there and work hard for the team, and compete every game.”
Last season with the Ottawa 67s, Konecny collected 26 goals and 44 assists for 70 points in 63 games as a 16-year-old rookie, en route to being named OHL rookie of the year.