NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2020-21 team captains of The OJ this fall.

BY RON VALENTINE

The Burlington Cougars have named blueliner Richard Coulson captain for the 2020-21 campaign. It is his third and final OJHL year. 

Like last season's captain, Matt Hobbs (who is now playing for Osby IK in Sweden), he is a product of the Burlington minor hockey system and wore an 'A' for the team in 2019-20.

You'll never mistake Richard for a 'lamplighter'. In his first campaign for the Cougars (2018-19), he had to wait until the last game of the regular season, against the Stouffville Spirit to record his first goal. “I remember that" said Richard, "it was quite the cause for a celebration...but really my strengths are defence, puck moving ability and consistency. I was getting some powerplay time towards the end of last season and perhaps I can get some more this time around.”

“I'm honoured to be named captain and I'm looking forward to the start of the season whenever that might be. I did wear the 'C' in the (Burlington) Eagles organization at the Minor Midget and Midget level and I've always put on-ice leadership first, but I'm not afraid to speak up in the 'room.”

Richard will have two veteran Assistant Captains, in fellow defenceman and former Erie Otter, Aidan Timmermans, and forward and Oxford Station native Joel Holtrop, both returnees from last season.

“Aidan is a big part of the back end, he's very fast and fierce enough and doesn't back away from anybody despite his smaller size,” the Captain noted, "and Joel brings very high energy. He's dangerous shorthanded, gets key goals and is a great shot-blocker."

Last season Joel had five goals shorthanded and six game winners.

Richard, who is currently taking an engineering course online from McMaster University, noted that the team has been able to be on the ice for drills since September. "We've been able to do modified practices, he said, "working on our skills. The team looks strong to me and, while it's still early, I think Jack Richard (in his sophomore season) is ready for a breakout season and we are well set between the pipes with Zach Dietz returning and Christian Linton coming over to us from Brantford."

It will be a different campaign this season for the Cougars. "We have great new uniforms and we will be playing out of the Central Arena, which I'm very familiar with. The goal is to get past the first round of the playoffs (Buffalo sent them packing for the last two years) and I want to have a strong season myself so I can continue my hockey career after Junior."

Three comments on Richard...

Head Coach/GM Mark Jooris: “Richard is a lead-be-example kind of guy. He always does things the right way. Always a team-first player, you know that he will compete hard every night. He's a very intelligent, well-spoken young man.”

Associate Head Coach/AGM Kirby Tokarski: “He has a great work ethic. He is an 'old-school' player with his continuous consistent play. He is a quiet leader who has a strong voice in the dressing-room when needed. His teammates love him and coaches can't get enough of players with his attributes. He joins a great group of captains in Burlington.”

Matt Hobbs from Sweden: “The Cougars made a great choice with Coulson getting the 'C'. He's a guy to look up to. He shows up at the rink every day and gets the job done. He's well-respected on and off the ice. He has plenty of other leaders in the dressing room to help him as well.”

The Cougars have moved from Vancouver Canucks colours to the gold, blue and white of the Burlington Eagles, their AAA affiliate. The organizations announced a new partnership in June.

Their ‘new’ rink, Central Arena, was their home before the franchise moved to the Wave Twin Rinks in 2007. The Cougars next moved to the Appleby Ice Centre in 2014.

A season of change upcoming for the Cougars but led by the experience of Richard and his assistants, they want to challenge again in the West Division. They can rest assured they will have a strong blueline anchored by the captain and determined leadership in their 'new digs.'

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda

Photo by Tim Bates of OJHL Images