Content Provided By: Steinbach Online
It is with great pleasure that the Steinbach Pistons announce the captain and leadership group for the 2024-25 season.
“It’s his third year with our group and we’ve seen a real maturation with him over the summer”, head coach Paul Dyck says. “Coming into camp, it was clear the level of respect he has in our dressing room. He’s assumed a leadership role even before wearing that letter. It’s part of his development as a person, too. I think it’s really good for him to have going into college next year.”
Szabo was surprised and honoured to be following the likes of Leo Chambers and Dawson Milliken, both of which sent in recorded messages leading to Szabo getting the ‘C’. “I’m stunned, I thought I was doing interview stuff because I forgot to do something. I’m ready for this. I’ve talked to a few people over the summer about being a strong leader. I have a great group around me and we’re ready to do something special.”
The Pistons will go with a blend of veteran experience and the next waves of leaders who will be wearing ‘A’s.
“Spencer Penner, it’s just natural for him to be wearing a letter for us”, Dyck explains. “He’s that strong, silent leader type but when he’s vocal, it’s always spot on. It’s his 4th year of junior hockey and a guy that’s fully bought into our team. He gives everything he has every time he is on the ice. He blocks shots for the boys. He’s a real encouragement to younger players, so it was a no-brainer.”
Jamie Fuchs came in last year and put up a solid season and became the kind of ‘get on my back and I’ll lead you’ player that Dyck says is a perfect example for the now and the future. “He maybe doesn’t say much but his play is loud”, Dyck says with a smile. “He’s so smart, he understands the details. He’s consistent, he does the right things on and off the ice, and with that, the room really looks up to him.”
While he may be a new addition, Brayden Barnett has fit in seamlessly and Dyck says he’s already viewed very highly by the room and staff. “Didn’t take him very long to make himself a home here. I heard so many positives about him in the summer. As soon as he let us know he was coming our way this summer, we knew he was going to be a part of our leadership group.”
A trio of 19-year-olds will wear rotating ‘A’s and Dyck believes it’s a great way to build their voice and leadership abilities.
“We always are looking at building those leaders for the future and a guy like Shane Burns has really emerged here” Dyck explains. “He’s pretty fiery on the ice, he holds guys accountable on the ice but he backs that up with how he goes about this work. He has an intensity, his flame burns pretty bright, and we identified him as a guy who earned a letter and it’ll be great to watch him keep growing in that role.”
Sam Noad’s growth was evident throughout the year both on and off the ice, something that Dyck says is vital to a strong organization. “Noader is an everyday guy, he does all the right things. He’s a team-first guy, plays hard, great on and off-ice habits. He cares deeply about his teammates and will always do whatever it takes for the team to be successful.”
Last but not least, Grady Hoffman who is coming off an MJHL Rookie of the Year season, he will have a letter on the brand-new third sweaters. “Hoff is a guy that had a big year last year. He’s come in this year and he’s already shown he’s taken a step. More to that, he’s got a bigger voice this year. He’s a vocal leader. He’s in the group of two or three guys who speaks up during or after practice, keeping an eye on the team growing and pulling the rope in the same direction.”
Beyond the players who will wear letters, Dyck believes other players in the leadership group will have a massive impact on the team. “Guys like (Brett) Kaiser, (Jackson) Kostiuk, (Brayden) Berg, (Connor) Paronuzzi, the guys who have been here, the guys who know what we’re about and how we want to go about our business, they’ll be examples, too. Even younger guys like (Cole) Cairns, he’s a firecracker who we can point to and say ‘that’s the passion we want’. Wearing a letter is great but there are ways to lead even without one.”
Steinbach opens the regular season vs the Winkler Flyers. Their first home game will be Saturday, September 21st. Puck drops at 7:00 pm but, before the game, there will be a tailgate party, which starts at 5:00 pm.
Captain: Noah Szabo
Assistant Captain: Brayden Barnett
Assistant Captain (navy & 3rd jerseys): Spencer Penner
Assistant Captain (white jerseys): Shane Burns
Assistant Captain (white jerseys): Jamie Fuchs
Assistant Captain (navy jerseys): Sam Noad
Assistant Captain (3rd jerseys): Grady Hoffman