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Leadership not a concern for young Capitals

Kevin Rothbauer - Cowichan Valley Citizen
August 28, 2009

It's an unusual situation for any hockey team, even at the junior A level, where roster turnover is expected to be high as players age out quickly and pursue post-secondary scholarships.

The forward corps of the Cowichan Valley Capitals includes only two returning players from last year's team. Veterans Nick Anderson and Joey Massingham are the only front-line players on the 2009/10 squad who have significant experience wearing the red, white and blue jersey.

"Never," said Caps head coach Scott Robinson when asked if he'd been in a similar situation before. "Not even close. But it is what it is, and we have to deal with it."

Anderson and Massingham aren't the only forwards with previous experience in the B.C. Hockey League, mind you. Big winger Jackson Garrett played 33 games with the Port Alberni Bulldogs last season, and Tyler Matheson, who isn't in camp right now because he's got a tryout with the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades, has 114 games with the Victoria Grizzlies on his resume.

While the forwards lack in experience, they won't be missing inspiration. Anderson and Massingham are well-known in BCHL circles for their effort and consistency.

"The good part about those two guys is that they're the two hardest working players we've had in a long time," said Robinson. "They're going to show the youngsters what's expected of them. We can count on these guys every night."

For his part, Anderson is optimistic about what he has seen in the Capitals' camp this past week.

"We've got a lot of new guys coming in, and hopefully they can fill some of the spots we lost this year," he said.

Anderson knew that he would be counted on this season, and he wasn't surprised to walk into a dressing room full of unfamiliar faces.

"I wasn't shocked," he said. "I knew a lot of guys were moving on. Some of the guys leaving, you don't want them to leave, but we've got an exciting new team. It should be good."

Now in his fourth year with the Caps, Duncan product Massingham will sport the captain's "C" on his jersey, while Anderson will serve as an assistant captain. The remaining captains and assistants haven't been determined. While some things have changed, Anderson promises that his style of play won't be one of them.

"I'll still be on the penalty kill, and I might get more time on the powerplay," he said. "I'll see what the season brings. I'd like to score more points, but I'd still like to play the same role."

As a team, the Caps haven't lowered their expectations. They're still aiming for a playoff spot, which shouldn't be an issue, considering that their back end is in a completely different situation from the forwards. With four players back from last year, the blueline is as stable as any in the league. Curtis Gedig, Matt Johnston, Shayne Taker and Nick Wong all provide a physical presence in their own end, and have shown the ability to move the puck on offence as well. The remaining spots on defence look to be filled out by newcomers Rajan Sidhu, Alex Halloran and John Mejia.

"They'll really complement our group of four veterans," said Robinson.

Size is the main advantage the Caps' defenders will have over their opponents.

"Boy oh boy, this group is very long," said the coach. "Five of the seven are six-foot-two or bigger. They have a high skill level and they're good skaters. They're as strong a group as I've seen a the start of the season."

The Caps will look good in goal, too. Kiefer Smiley is back for his third season with the team. Last year's campaign was interrupted by a sabbatical to Quesnel, where the Caps sent him to get more playing time as Chris Rawlings handled the bulk of the duties. Taylor Pears subbed in as Rawlings's back-up before finishing the season on loan to Powell River, and he has returned for another go-around with the Cap as well.

"We'll have some healthy competition back there," said Robinson.

In the back of Anderson's mind this season will be the goal of securing a scholarship. He talked to a "couple of schools" over the summer, and his hopes for getting a university or college deal are high. More important in the immediate future is helping the young players make the transition to junior A.

"If we can get the guys into the system early, we'll be a good team," he said.

Robinson is counting on Anderson and Massingham to show the newcomers what is needed at this level of hockey, and thinks that the example they set is key.

"I think our talent and ability level is pretty good," he said. "If the effort is there, we'll be successful.