Rockets captain Brett DeFrias is entering his fourth and final year of eligibility this season with one goal in mind.
“My expectation is to go all the way, finish off [my career] with a championship,” said DeFrias. “I’ve been playing in this league since I was 16 and I want to go out with a bang.”
DeFrias, a 5’6” defenceman from Kamloops, burst onto the scene in 2010 and put up 32 points in his rookie year. Despite his small sature, DeFrias is a large presence both on the ice and in the locker room, as his added responsibility of being the captain would suggest. According to the Rockets’ leader, when it is time to get his teammates going, what works with some players won’t necessarily work with others.
“You can’t be too hard on some kids, you have to be different with certain kids.”
DeFrias says he has a balanced style of leadership.
“When I’m on the ice, it’s lead by example, but I’m not afraid to shout and be a “ra-ra” guy either,” said DeFrias.
With his Rockets career coming to a close at the end of this season, DeFrias hopes to continue his hockey career at the university level, either in Canada or south of the border.
