OHL North Bay Battalion

McIvor Appointed Battalion Captain

Published on September 24, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - Defenceman Marcus McIvor has been named captain of the North Bay Battalion, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Tuesday.

A 20-year-old from Whitby, Ont., McIvor succeeds right winger Barclay Goodrow, who was captain for two seasons starting in 2012-13, the Troops' last in Brampton. An alternate captain last year, McIvor is the third defenceman to serve as captain and the first since John de Gray held the post for two seasons culminating in 2007-08.

Defenceman Brenden Miller and left winger Nick Paul were named as alternates. Stan Butler, director of hockey operations and head coach, said the third alternate's position will remain vacant for now.

A first-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, McIvor has played 256 games over four seasons, tied for sixth place in franchise history with longtime defence partner Dylan Blujus. McIvor, six-foot-two and 224 pounds, has scored eight goals and earned 58 assists for 66 points and has recorded 12 points, including five goals, in 39 playoff games.

"Marcus is the only returning player who wore a letter last season," noted Butler. "He's in his fifth season here and he's been a great member of our organization. It was an obvious choice for us. He's a very consistent guy who gives you what you want every game. As a coaching staff we felt he was the best guy for the job."

Miller, a 20-year-old resident of Orangeville, Ont., was an eighth-round pick in 2010. He played two late-season games in 2010-11 and became a fulltime member of the Battalion the following season. He has registered 18 goals and 56 assists for 74 points while totaling 195 penalty minutes in 183 games. Miller, six-foot-one and 190 pounds, has four goals and 21 assists for 25 points in 34 playoff games. He led OHL defencemen in playoff scoring last season with 20 points, including three goals.

"Miller is what you want a Battalion player to be," said Butler. "He came in in his first season and was the seventh defenceman. He worked very hard and did whatever he had to do to get better, and I respect him for that. He gives it everything he has every game."

Paul, a 19-year-old from Mississauga, was a fifth-round pick in 2012 after being overlooked in his first year of eligibility for the OHL Priority Selection. Paul, six-foot-three and 221 pounds, had 28 points, including 12 goals, in 66 games in 2012-13 and produced 26 goals and 20 assists for 46 points in 67 games last season. He scored 12 playoff goals last season, second on the team to Goodrow, and recorded 18 points in 22 games.

The Dallas Stars selected Paul in the fourth round of the 2013 National Hockey League Draft before dealing his rights to the Ottawa Senators on July 1 as part of a trade for onetime Battalion centre Jason Spezza. Paul was among 41 players chosen to attend the Canadian national junior team's summer development camp in August.

"Nick has to really step up his game and be a key player for us," said Butler. "He's a great example for people, since he wasn't chosen in the OHL in his first year. That says a lot about him when you consider how far he's come."

The Battalion, reigning Eastern Conference champions, opens the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday when it hosts the Barrie Colts.

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