Mitch McLain has been named the fourth captain of the Langley Rivermen Junior “A” Hockey Club since the franchise moved to Langley in 2011.
McLain enjoyed his first season in a Rivermen uniform in 2012-2013 and was an assistant captain by years’ end.
“It is an honour to come back and lead this team,” McLain said.
“There 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.”
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.
“My first season with the Rivermen was a very enjoyable one for me,” he said.
“From 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.”
Rivermen head coach and general manager Bobby Henderson said that choosing McLain for the position wasn’t “too much of a decision.”
“Looking at his play down the stretch and through most of the year he started to emerge as a leader,” Henderson said.
“He 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.”
McLain has many qualities that every coach looks for in a player, Henderson said, including his work ethic and attitude.
“Mitch is an upbeat guy and knows when to keep the mood light and he knows when to focus and bare down,” he said.
“He is just one of those guys that you can’t help but smile when he is at the rink.”
McLain knows about the responsibilities of wearing the “C” and already knows what kind of captain he wants to be, he said.
“I am a friend,” McLain said.
“Sometimes 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.
“As 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.”
