Gabriel Szturc is the newest captain of the Kelowna Rockets.
The team has been without a captain for the last couple weeks after trading captain Colton Dach to the Seattle Thunderbirds ahead of the WHL trade deadline.
乌鸦传媒淚t means a lot to me to be named captain,乌鸦传媒� said Szturc. 乌鸦传媒淚 want to thank Bruce and Kris for this opportunity, it乌鸦传媒檚 a very big honour. I want to lead the Rockets by doing the right things on and off the ice. I乌鸦传媒檓 going to keep doing the things that I乌鸦传媒檝e been doing and continue to be a role model for our younger players. I乌鸦传媒檝e learned from previous captains that they were at the front of the train leading the team to win, that乌鸦传媒檚 what I want to do here.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Szturc becomes the 28th captain in team history and first ever European captain.
From Cesky Terin, Czechia, Szturc has 80 points (26 goals, 54 assists) in 96 career games.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 a true leader, he乌鸦传媒檚 someone that our group will rally behind and follow in his footsteps,乌鸦传媒� said Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette. 乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 a player that comes in each and every day with a smile on his face; he works extremely hard in practice, in the gym and in games. As a European, he has worked diligently on his English, much like everything in his game. He always challenges everyone to be their best.乌鸦传媒�
The 19-year-old is also coming off of winning a silver medal at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships where he collected eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games.
乌鸦传媒淲e are so excited for Gabriel,乌鸦传媒� said Rockets President and General Manager Hamilton. 乌鸦传媒淗e has earned the utmost respect from his teammates, coaches and the fans. I congratulate him and look forward to watching his progress as a player and our captain.乌鸦传媒�
Being born late in 2003, Szturc is NHL draft eligible for the second time this summer. He was recently ranked the 181st best skater in North America by NHL Central Scouting.
Szturc will don the 乌鸦传媒楥乌鸦传媒� for the first time on Friday night against the Vancouver Giants in Langley. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
Rockets fans will get their first chance to see him wear the 乌鸦传媒楥乌鸦传媒� on home ice on Saturday night when they welcome Vancouver to town. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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