Prince George Cougars Cougars Announce Leadership Group
Published on November 21, 2017 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars announced their leadership group for the remainder of the season Tuesday morning, naming defenceman Dennis Cholowski the 23 rd Captain in franchise history.
In addition to naming Cholowski Captain, the Cougars have also named Josh Anderson and Brogan O'Brien Alternate Captains.
"Your leadership group is one of the foundation pieces in having a successful team, on and off the ice. These three young men embody the leadership qualities you want in Captains and I feel we are in great hands going forward," said General Manger Todd Harkins.
Originally selected by the Cougars in the 10 th round (200 th overall) in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Cholowski leads all Cougars' defencemen in scoring and is 18 th in the WHL, with six goals and 17 points in 20 games. The Langley BC, native recently played for Team WHL at the 2017 CIBC Canada - Russia Series, in Moose Jaw and Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The 6'1, 200 pound defenceman was the Detroit Red Wings' first pick, 20 th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York.
"It's a great feeling and it's humbling, knowing who have worn letters in the past for this organization," said Cholowski. "We have a great group in our dressing room and it's great to have Josh and Brogan helping lead as well. They're two great guys and they're big parts of the team."
"Brogan, Dennis and Josh have earned the respect from the coaching staff and their teammates that comes with being leaders. They're willing to put personal accolades aside for the betterment of the team, and their passion for the game and our group is exactly what we're looking for in leaders," stated Head Coach Richard Matvichuk.
Anderson has spent his entire four-year WHL career with the Cougars, playing in 160 career regular season games, posting six goals and 24 points, to go along with 224 penalty-minutes. Last season, Anderson had three goals and 11 points in 69 games and was and plus 13. Through eight games this season, the Duncan BC, product has three assists and is a plus one. Anderson was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round, 71 st overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
"I was fortunate to have Sam Ruopp as a Captain for the past few seasons and he was my D-partner last year too. I sat next to him in the dressing room, along with Brendan Guhle and learned a lot from those two. I watched how they spoke to the team, interacted with different players, and I will definitely implement that in my leadership role with this group," said Anderson. It's a privilege and big responsibility to wear a letter and I couldn't be more honoured."
O'Brien, a Prince George BC, native, is in his third and final season with the Cougars. The 20-year-old has seven goals and 11 points in 21 games this season, sitting fourth in team scoring. He's red-hot too, scoring four goals and picking up five points in his last five games. In his WHL career, O'Brien has compiled 34 goals and 100 points in 162 regular season games. He's chipped in with another two goals and three points in 10 career playoff games.
"It's special, being from here, having the opportunity to play for my hometown team and now to wear a letter. The leadership group goes way past us three, as there's older guys in our room who share big roles as well, and even the young guys have done their part."
The coaching staff also announced the team will have a third Alternate Captain on a rotating basis.
The Prince George Cougars (9-9-2-2) are looking for their fourth straight win tonight, when they face the Central Division-leading Medicine Hat Tigers (13-7-0-0) at the CN Centre at 7 pm. It's the start of a midweek double-header, as the two teams go head-to-head tonight and tomorrow.
Tickets for both games are available at the TicketsNorth box office at the CN Centre, or online at www.ticketsnorth.ca
Western Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2017
- Three Chiefs on NHL Central Scouting's November Watch List - Spokane Chiefs
- Prince George Cougars Cougars Announce Leadership Group - Prince George Cougars
- WHL, Okanagan Hockey Announce 2018 WHL Prospect Combine Schedule - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL, Okanagan Hockey Announce 2018 WHL Prospect Combine Schedule - WHL
- DJ Anchor to Rock 80s Night - Prince Albert Raiders
- 5th Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Kelowna Rockets
- WARRIORS' HALBGEWACHS NAMED WHL ON THE RUN PLAYER OF THE WEEK - WHL
- Pats Launch Brand New Retail Store - Regina Pats
- BELRIN WALL SHUTS OUT SILVERTIPS - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Giants Grab Their Fourth Straight Home Victory - Vancouver Giants
- Seattle 2 - Everett 0 - Everett Silvertips
- ROYALS VICTORIOUS OVER AMERICANS - Victoria Royals
- BUSKEY BLANKS RAIDERS AS CHIEFS WIN BIG - Spokane Chiefs
- Raiders Fall To Chiefs In Road Trip Finale - Prince Albert Raiders
- Regina Pats (1) vs Portland Winterhawks (3) - Regina Pats
- Giants Recall Forward Justin Sourdif - Vancouver Giants
- Pats Kick off U.S. Division Road Trip in Portland - Regina Pats
- Three Goal Second Sinks Raiders Against Tri-City - Prince Albert Raiders
- GIANTS DROP A 6-2 DECISION IN KAMLOOPS - Vancouver Giants
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
