OHL North Bay Battalion

Detroit Red Wings' prospect named Battalion captain

Published on September 21, 2004 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


BRAMPTON, Ont. - Centre Ryan Oulahen has been named the Battalion's captain, Stan Butler, the Ontario Hockey League club's director of hockey operations announced Tuesday.

Butler also announced that veteran forwards Tyler Harrison, Brock McPherson and Wojtek Wolski would serve as alternate captains.

"It's an important job and it's great honour to have the 'C' on your sweater," said Oulahen, who served as an alternate captain last season under Ryan Bowness and Chris Clayton. "I'm really looking forward to leading our team in the right direction."

The Detroit Red Wings prospect, who is entering his third OHL season, said he learned a lot last season working with Bowness and Clayton.

"We didn't have as good a season as we would have liked and that put a lot of pressure on the leaders. But those guys took everything in stride and turned all the negatives into positives. They were always good motivators and willing to help guys out."

Oulahen, who is the sixth captain in club history, sees his new role as being "the guy who does everything right, who leads everyone. You have to be the guy who knows what direction the team is going in and you have to have good communication with your coach. There are a lot of little things behind the scenes that people don't know about."

Oulahen said that leadership on the Battalion would be a group effort.

"Tyler's heading into his fourth year and he has a lot of experience here and Wojtek has been here as long as me. It won't be just one guy calling the shots. We have a bunch of guys in the room who have lots of experience and leadership ability that won't have letters on their sweaters."

Oulahen said he compares his leadership style to that of former captain Jay McClement.

"My style is similar to his. I'm not a hollerer, I'm a guy who works hard on the ice and leads by example. But if something needs to be said I will say it and I hope guys will listen."

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2004


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