The Drayton Valley Thunder named their captains just before the first league game of the AJHL 2016-2017 season. Coach Jesse Dorrans said there was no question as to who was going to be captain this season. Thunder #8 Braden Jakubowski will dawn the captain's 'C' and coach said it is well deserved. Jakubowski is, and has been, a strong leader on and off the ice. Other than last season when he played for the Laronge Ice Dogs, Jakubowski has bled green for Drayton Valley Thunder since 2012 when he arrived as a 15 year old affiliate. This season will be Jakubowski's third with the Drayton Valley Thunder and he said he was excited to have the opportunity to return to Thunder after a year of being away.
Jakubowski said, “It is an honour to be named captain of the Drayton Valley Thunder. It is a great opportunity for me and a challenge I have not yet faced in my hockey career, but a role I feel I am ready to embrace. We have a room full of leaders and a great group of guys that all could have been chosen. I am excited to see what our team can achieve this year. I am extremely proud to be a part of such a great organization.”
Jakubowski has suited up in 87 regular season games with the green and white notching 21 goals and 15 assists. In his year away from the Thunder, last year Jakubowski registered impressive stats in the 2015-16 season. In 57 game with Laronge, he tallied 45 points with 17 goals and 28 assists. Jakubowski also registered five post season points in 7 playoff games while away.
Joining Jakubowski at the captain's table are assistants #5 Max Salpeter, #21 Tyler Benko and his twin brother, #3 Matt Benko. This is Salpeter's first year with Thunder and we were fortunate to get this skilled tower in a trade with the Camrose Kodiaks. As an imposing 18 year old, Salpeter definitely makes a presence in the dressing room and on the ice. Salpeter is one of the largest on the team measuring in at 6' 4″ and 210 lbs. Last season, he registered 10 points in 35 games as a defenseman. The Benko twins were both signed to Drayton Valley Thunder back in the 2014-2105 season and have both been here for the duration except for Tyler who was away for part of the 2014-15 and part of 2015-16 season and again, we were fortunate to have him return to the Thunder as well. In Tyler Benko's career, he recorded 36 points in 102 games as a forward and Matt Benko had 16 points in 88 games as a D-man. Congratulations boys and do us proud on and off the ice as our leaders and as members of the Drayton Valley Thunder.
Drayton Valley Thunder has had an impressive beginning to their season with these captains at the helm recording a double win against Whitecourt-the only two home games for September. At nine bells tomorrow morning September 23rd, the bus will be heading north for another double header but this time they will be taking on the Grande Prairie Storm. The puck will be dropping both Friday, the 23rd and Saturday, the 24th at 7:30 pm. Good luck and safe travel Thunder!!
