Snakes Open Season Tonight; Barlow Named Captain

Published on October 22, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


When the Columbus Cottonmouths kickoff their 15th season tonight, they will be under the leadership of new team captain, Will Barlow. Barlow takes over duties for Craig Stahl, who served as team captain from 2004-2010 before retiring in April.

This marks Barlow's fourth season with the Snakes. The 28-year old defenseman from Oakville, Ontario has collected 29 points in 147 games over three seasons in Columbus. As one of nine returning members from last season, Barlow will be called upon to lead a young Snakes team that features seven rookies.

"Will really came into his own at the end of last year," head coach Jerome Bechard said. "He's been one of the guys who has really stepped up and set the tone for training camp. His work ethic is outstanding. He works hard every single day and knows what I expect and what we expect as a team. He's really stepped up and taken his role seriously, and will do whatever it takes to win."

Hergott enters his seventh season with the Snakes. With the retirement of Stahl and Snakes all-time leading scorer Tim Green last season, Hergott becomes the lone returning member from the Snakes' 2004 inaugural SPHL season and championship team. He has registered 174 points in 236 regular season games over six seasons.

"Orrin has been here seven years, and there's obviously a reason for that," Bechard said. "He knows the game well, and knows what needs to get done and what I need from him. He's going to take a bit of the load off of me, helping with some of the coaching duties, both on and off the ice. Being a player/assistant coach will give him a chance to see the other side of hockey, as far as learning to manage people and teams. He'll help breakdown film and discover more about the game, which will help him if coaching is in his future."

The Snakes face the Pensacola Ice Flyers tonight at 7:30 p.m. A retirement ceremony honoring Stahl will be held prior to the game. Stahl's number (#32) will become just the third number in Snakes history to be retired, alongside former captain and current head coach, Jerome 'Boom Boom' Bechard (#16) and former goaltender, Frankie 'The Wall' Ouellette (#30.) The first 2,500 fans receive a magnetic schedule, courtesy of TIC Federal Credit Union and WXTX-FOX 54.

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