NEWS

A series of stories on the team captains in the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2017-18 season:

By Ron Valentine

Two RBC Cup championships in two seasons with two different teams. That's what AURORA TIGERS Captain JAKE BRICKNELL (Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images) is looking at.

The former OHL-er who played last season for the Cobourg Cougars has had a great campaign so far as have the Tigers. The club has a great mixture of veterans and younger players, he says.

He has James Thomson, Matt Ferrari and Bryce Martin, all blueliners, as his assistants this season. He really likes the chemistry on the club and looks forward to leading the Tigers back to their glory days.

He has high praise for 17-year old rookie Anthony Romano, fellow newbie Chris Giroday (who Jake describes as an offensive defenceman poised beyond his years) and Elijah Gonsalves who have showcased their abilities as Tigers.

He is very happy with the season his team has had to date and with himself reaching the 80 point mark but it's team first and if the points come, that's great, he says. The Port Perry produce is his final year in junior hockey and wants to play as long as he can with several options open to him. He describes his hockey style as passionate, he has an eye for the net and as a last year player wants to impart as much knowledge as he can to the younger guys.

Another RBC would be a fitting end to a sparkling junior career.