THE CAPTAINS: PALUCH A VOICE OF EXPERIENCE ON BURLINGTON BLUELINE
Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2021-22 team captains of The OJ. (Photo by Ryan McCullough / OJHL Images)
BY RON VALENTINE
Twenty-year old blueliner David Paluch has been named the captain of the BURLINGTON COUGARS for the 2021-22 season.
Though he has only suited up for 14 OJHL games to date (with the Wellington Dukes in the 2018-19 season) he brings a wealth of hockey experience to the table.
Paluch played prep school hockey for Loomis Chaffee and Canterbury, both in Connecticut, and then spent the 2019-20 season patrolling the blueline for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Last season, he played with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League. David was drafted from his hometown Toronto Marlboros U16 team by the Saginaw Spirit in the 12th round of the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection by the Saginaw Spirit.
Over to David: "Playing in Johnstown last season was really interesting and a chance to get on the ice, with the Canadian leagues virtually shut down. Playing in the rink where the movie 'Slap Shot ' was filmed was a great experience!" I really wanted an NCAA scholarship early on and that's why I went the prep school route. Both the Brooks and Wellington franchises are excellent, but I feel we have really something special going in Burlington this year."
"There was lots of travel in the NAHL but it was a good experience and a good caliber of hockey. Obviously this season is a big one for me and I'm going to be putting all my efforts into making it a really good one for the Cougars."
"I have three A's as part of our leadership group. Jack Richard and Matt Franzoi are returnees (Franzoi spent some time with the Brampton Admirals) and I'm going to lean on both of them for support as they are good leaders. Isaac Faccio is a rookie in this league but he has already shown his stuff in the preseason where we went 6-0 and he was a regular goalscorer."
All three assistant captains are forwards.
"Throughout the exhibition season we improved as a team. We pushed each other to produce and it worked and I can only see us getting better. A new arena, new uniforms and a positive outlook are all plusses for the club. We have really strong balance in the forward lines and there is a good, healthy competition for spots.”
“We are going to be very strong in the net with Zach Dietz returning and Kyle Metson coming in as a very competent rookie. Metson was scheduled to play last season for the GOJHL's La Salle Vipers. Our coaching team led by Mark (Jooris) is second to none and they give us the opportunity to show ourselves as good leaders."
"In my only year as captain in junior hockey, I want to put myself forward as a positive leader and I will get everyone involved so they become part of the Cougars' 'family' on and off the ice. I always try to have a smile on my face and let my actions do a lot of the talking.”
“As a defenceman, I like to jump up into the attack, I've got that offensive flair, I feel I have good puck-moving skills and want to continue to be an effective two-way player. One of my strong points is my skating ability. I have been in some contact with schools in the U.S. and I had actually committed to one but I found out it was not the right fit. I hope that the Division 1 opportunity is there for me next season."
Head Coach Mark Jooris had this to say about David: "He is a really good person, comes from a great family and is a true leader. I believe he will have a big year."
Associate Coach Kirby Tokarski added: "He is a great voice in the dressing room and lets his game and work ethic speak for himself. He is a player that motivates with positivity and is an all-round 'glue guy'. He is a very skilled player and will follow in the long list of great captains in Burlington."
With his stabilizing influence on the blueline, his flair for attacking and that maturity, David should be instrumental in keeping the Cougars in the running this season in the North/West Conference.
Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda