He wanted the job since camp opened and now centre Zach Gallant has been annointed the new captain of the Peterborough Petes by coach Rob Wilson
Overagers Adam Timleck, Chris Paquette, Austin Osmanski named assistant captains
Zach Gallant will wear the captain’s C when the Peterborough Petes host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Thursday night.
Three weeks into the 2018-19 season, Petes new head coach Rob Wilson appointed Gallant as captain prior to practice on Wednesday.
Overage players Austin Osmanski, Chris Paquette and Adam Timleck were named assistant captains.
The team was informed during practice at the Evinrude Centre.
With a number of players, including Gallant, away at NHL camps in the two weeks leading up to the Sept. 21 season opener, Wilson said he wanted to take his time to get to know players before naming captains.
“Ever since the summer Zach has shown that he wanted it,” Wilson said.
“He plays a two-way style of game and that dictates a little bit of influence for coaches, guys who can play on both sides of the puck. I really like what he’s been doing with the guys. He’s taking control in the room and on different areas of the ice. We’re really happy with what we’ve seen from Zach.”
“It’s definitely something I was hoping to get,” Gallant said. “It’s a huge responsibility and I want to be able to set the example in the room this year. Especially with what happened last year with how badly things went.”
Gallant said he wants the team to be close.
“I want to make sure guys are getting together off the ice and doing the little things to make sure we have good team cohesion this year,” Gallant said.
“I’m not saying we haven’t had it in the past but we just want to have a better year than we did last year.”
He also he sees his role as holding players accountable.
“Making sure we’re working hard on a daily basis and trying to eliminate the complaining and the complacency.”
Wilson said all three overage players have shown leadership throughout training camp, preseason and the start of the regular season.
“They’ve all worked extremely hard showing they wanted to be guys who were not just leaders on the team but wanted to have letters,” Wilson said.
“Oz is a big presence and a big guy. He goes to the gym really hard all the time and shows by example that way. He shows he wants to be part of that leadership group by his on-ice and office work rate.”
Wilson has really been impressed by Paquette, who leads the club with five goals through four games.
“I was told he was going to be a really quiet guy and not engaging and my experience has been completely the opposite,” Wilson said.
“He’s asking questions all the time. He’s excited about the year. His play has been really, really good in every game. This isn’t the guy I was told about; this quiet guy who stays away from being a leader. He’s really shown he wants to be one.”
Timleck is the longest-serving Pete in his fifth season.
“He told me how important it was to himself,” Wilson said.
“He hasn’t been scoring as he wants but systematically he’s probably been the number one guy on our team for following the systems and understanding them.
“Each one of them has really earned it. I think all four might have a little bit of a feeling like last year was a disappointment and they want to vindicate themselves and their teammates.”