Saints look to 'natural leader' to lead Selkirk into BCIHL season
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Saints, beginning another march to the top of the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League Sunday in Castlegar, named Trail native Logan Proulx to lead them.
The 22-year-old forward has been named captain of the Saints hockey club.
Proulx will slip on the captaincy when Selkirk opens the exhibition season Tuesday in the Silver City against the Trail Smoke Eaters at 7 p.m.
“Logan is a natural leader who sets the tone every day with his high compete level and his enthusiasm for being at the rink,” said Saints head coach Jeff Dubois.
“He’s a high character guy who played a key role within our leadership group on and off the ice last season and really distinguished himself as someone who had the respect and trust of his teammates. Logan was the ideal choice to take over the captaincy and lead our team this year.”
Proulx is coming off a stellar rookie season for Selkirk that saw him tie for second in team and league scoring behind former teammate Jordan Wood. He was also named a BCIHL First-Team All-Star and helped lead the Saints to their first-ever league championship.
Proulx’s junior playing career included stops in the Western Hockey League with the Edmonton Oil Kings and the British Columbia Hockey League with the Trail Smoke Eaters and Cowichan Valley Capitals.
“It means a tremendous amount to me to be chosen as captain this year,” said the skillful sniper.
“To be part of any leadership group is an honour and a privilege. I take a lot of pride in being a leader and it’s something that has always come naturally to me. Last year we set a high standard as a team with our work ethic and I think that was the start of something we now expect of ourselves and each other as Selkirk Saints.”
“I’m really excited to have all the boys back in town and to get back on the ice with the team. I’m looking forward to welcoming the new guys to Castlegar and getting back into the swing of things,” he adds.
“We had a very successful season last year and I know the guys want to compete for and win another BCIHL championship this year.”
Selkirk’s leadership group will also include a pair of players — Scott Swiston and Dylan Smith — who are returning as assistant captains for a second season.
The third ‘A’ will be worn by second-year forward Connor McLaughlin, who finished third on the team in points last season with 27.
“Connor was one of our hardest workers and best conditioned players last season,” said Dubois of the former Nelson Leaf and Fernie Ghostrider.
“He plays a gritty, responsible game and he’s going to be a great fit wearing an ‘A’ along with Scott and Dylan.”
The Saints opened training camp Sunday evening at the Castlegar Rec Complex.
