Photo Credits: Charles Warburton
The OHL kicks off this Friday for the Brampton Steelheads, who host the Brantford Bulldogs in their home opener at the CAA Centre.
Brampton is ranked second in the CHL Power Rankings and boasts a good mix of veterans and rookies. Veterans include Carson Rehkopf, Stevie Leskovar, Angus MacDonell, Spencer Sova, Lucas Karmiris, Porter Martone, and Luke Misa.
With so many talented players on their roster, head coach James Richmond and his management team must decide who will captain the Steelheads for the 2024-25 season.
Here are three players who I believe should be considered for the captaincy:
3. Stevie Leskovar
Leskovar will be heavily relied upon again this season as the Steelheads’ number one defenceman. Over his two seasons with Mississauga/Brampton, he has proven himself as a leader on the ice, always mixing it up with opponents, finishing checks, blocking shots, and playing solid defensive hockey.
His hard work over the last few seasons led the Minnesota Wild to draft him in the sixth round, 174th overall this past summer. If selected as captain, Leskovar would become the seventh defenceman in Steelheads history to wear the “C,” following in the footsteps of players like Chas Sharpe, Liam Ham, Ethan Del Mastro, Nic Hague, Charlie Callaghan, and Stuart Percy.
2. Luke Misa
Luke Misa had a breakout year in the 2023-24 season, tallying 26 goals and 55 assists for 81 points in 63 games. The Oakville, Ontario native has been a part of the Steelheads organization for his entire OHL career. Given the experience and leadership he has brought to the team over the years, he would be an excellent choice for captain.
With his fantastic playmaking abilities and veteran leadership, Misa is poised for another standout season to help bring success to the Steelheads.
The Calgary Flames drafted Misa in the fifth round, 150th overall, this past offseason.
1. Angus MacDonell
At number one, the player I believe should be the next captain of the Brampton Steelheads is forward Angus MacDonell.
MacDonell had a career-high 2023-24 season, registering 32 goals and 30 assists for 62 points in 61 games. MacDonell, a Dallas Stars prospect, was drafted in 2023 in the sixth round, 189th overall.
MacDonell has already demonstrated his leadership through his hard work on and off the ice. He wore the “A” on his jersey last season.
With his extensive OHL experience and dedication to the game, MacDonell is the ideal choice to lead the Steelheads as captain for the 2024-25 season.
With plenty of talent on the Steelheads’ roster this season, they have several solid choices for captain. These three players are all proven leaders and will be key contributors to the team, whether they wear a letter on their jerseys or not. The 2024-25 season looks exciting and promising for the Brampton Steelheads.
