The Saskatoon Blades have named defenceman Evan Fiala as the team’s captain as the puck is set to drop on the 2017-18 Western Hockey League (WHL) season.
Fiala, 20, said he is honoured to be named the 58th captain in team history.
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“I’ve worn an ‘A’ a few times in my career but putting on the ‘C’ is obviously really exciting,” Fiala, one of four overage players currently on the roster, said in a statement.
Fiala said even though he is the captain, nothing will change for him.
“I still plan to just be myself and lead by example and we’re fortunate to have a lot of great leaders and characters on our team so it really doesn’t matter who wears the letters,” Fiala explained.
Fiala was acquired by the Blades last December in a trade with the Spokane Chiefs.
Blades head coach Dean Brockman said Fiala’s leadership qualities have been on display since the trade.
“We knew after last season he would be a strong candidate to be a part of our leadership group,” Brockman said.
“After talks with our management, coaching and training staff, we felt Evan was the prime candidate to lead this team.”
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Fiala is heading to Michigan later this week to take part in his first NHL training camp with the Detroit Red Wings.
The Blades wrap up their pre-season action when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Oil Kings.
The regular season starts on Sept. 22 when the Blades host the Swift Current Broncos.
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