The Sarnia Sting have named veteran forward Jordan Kyrou team captain for the 2017-18 Ontario Hockey League season.
Overage defenceman Connor Schlichting and 19-year-old forward Drake Rymsha will serve as assistant captains.
The 19-year-old Kyrou is heading into his fourth season with the Sting. He has suited up for a 194 games for Sarnia, tallying 60 goals and 181 points.
After being selected in the second round by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Toronto, ON native had an outstanding 94 points, ranking sixth in OHL scoring league-wide.
Kyrou has also won a gold medal for Canada in the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and is expected to compete for a role on Team Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY.
Sting Co-Owner and Head Coach Derian Hatcher says Kyrou is a special player with a lot of experience.
“We are fortunate to have a number of leaders in our room, regardless if they wear a letter or not," says Hatcher. "However, Jordan is a player who has gained a lot of experience both in the Ontario Hockey League but also has spent time in the American Hockey League at the end of last season and in this preseason in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues. We are looking forward to him bringing those experiences into our room and most importantly leading by example on the ice. He is an elite player in our league and also a much respected player in our dressing room.”
Hatcher says Schlichting and Rymsha bring a ton of experience in the OHL to the team's leadership group.
"Connor is a player who battled through injury problems early in his OHL career but we’re thrilled to have him healthy and a big part of this hockey club," says Hatcher. "He is a great example for our players both on and off the ice. Drake came to us at the deadline last year and immediately added some life into our room and our team. He loves to play the game and it rubs off on everyone else around him.”
Kyrou is expected to make his season debut for the Sting this weekend as they host Kingston on Saturday and Ottawa on Sunday.
As always, you can hear all of the action on 103.9FM and 1070AM CHOK.