Paddison named Eagles”™ captain
The Canmore Eagles named their leadership team prior to opening their Alberta Junior Hockey League on Friday against the Olds Grizzlys.
Lane Paddison is the new captain despite having just 38 games of AJHL experience. The 20-year-old native of Williams Lake, B.C. is only one of seven veterans — all 2001-born — on the Eagles.
“It”™s a true honour being named captain of the Canmore Eagles,” said the 5-foot-10 centre, who was selected by his teammates to lead the squad.
“I”™m not the most vocal guy that”™s for sure but I will lead by example and I want the younger guys to follow and the older guys as well.”
It may be doubly important this season to have the right leadership team in place after the team and league lost almost the entirety of last season due to Covid-19 restrictions.
It was apparent even during his rookie 2019-20 season, Paddison would eventually become a leader. The 5-foot-10 centre finished that first year with five goals and 22 points in 36 games, featured in many of the team”™s key moments during his injury-interrupted season, and quickly developed into a fan favourite.
The Eagles”™ leadership team also includes returning 20-year-old defencemen Drea Gardiner, Zach Cunningham (who doesn”™t turn 20 until Oct. 13) and 20-year-old forward Mitch Watson.
Gardiner played more than 50 games in the Western Hockey League with the Moose Jaw Warriors prior to joining the Eagles midway through the 2019-20 season, while Cunningham and Watson each have more than 100 games of AJHL experience.
Paddison, Gardiner and goalscorer Cunningham have already featured in a key moment of this young season, combining for the game winner as the Eagles opened this campaign with a 3-2 overtime victory over the hometown Grizzlys.
The Canmore Eagles”™ home opener is Saturday, Sept. 18 against the Calgary Canucks. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Recreation Centre. Game tickets are available online at canmoreagles.com.
