Men's Hockey Story

John Malin named captain of the Trojans

Curtis Taylor

Polytechnic Press

A new generation of SAIT Trojans hockey has begun, as on Wednesday head coach Ken Babey announced his new captain and assistants for the upcoming season.

Defenceman John Malin was named as the new team captain.  Forwards Garrett Watson, Travis Bradshaw, and Matt Stefanishion were named as assistants.

Head coach Ken Babey was left with a hole to fill in the leadership department after the departing of previous captain Kevin Lessard, and assistants Shane Lust, Mike Ullrich, and Ryan Hyland.

However, Babey believes his new set of leaders are great role models for the team both on and off the ice.

“All those four young men are great examples of what we like in a leader,” said Babey. “They lead by example, they’re all key players for our team and they are good students.”

Ken Babey has always had the same system when picking his captains and assistants.  They are picked based on a vote amongst the players, and the coaches vote as well. 

As it turns out, the coaches and the players had the exact same four in mind for this year’s leadership.

“Those guys were impressive to the coaches, but more importantly they were impressive to their teammates,” said Babey.

John Malin is entering his fourth year of eligibility for the Trojans   

Malin was named to the ACAC all conference second team all star last season, and is the team’s top shutdown defenceman.  A hulking frame at 6’5’’, Malin makes up half of the “twin towers” with defence partner Joel Woznikoski, who is also 6’5”.

“I need to be more vocal, and lead by example,” said Malin. “We have a lot of new faces out there this year, 15 new guys, you have to lead them by example and vocally so they can learn the SAIT way and learn the ropes.”

Alongside having a leadership role, the assistant captains for the Trojans will be counted on to put the puck in the net.

Lust and Ullrich were among the ACAC’s leading scorers last season, and their departure gives an opportunity for others to step up offensively

Garrett Watson had a very productive preseason, and tallied eight points over his final two games.

“They left us a big hole from last season,” said Watson. “There’s definitely a few guys who need to help out (offensively) and looking around the dressing room I think we have that.”

Though Matt Stefanishion is a rookie this year for the Trojans, he played professionally for many different teams down in the United States and thinks that experience can help the younger rookies on the team.

“With the experience that I bring, I can hopefully lend that to some younger guys,” said Stefanishion. “If they have questions, or if I can tell them about the life of hockey and if it’s everything they think its cracked up to be.”

Third year forward Travis Bradshaw knows what it takes to win, as he won a championship with the Trojans in his first year with the team.

“I think leadership is really important to bring, we’ve got a lot of young guys this year, I’ve won a championship here so I think it’s important to help show the way,” said Bradshaw.

The Trojans are looking for redemption after last year’s loss in the finals against Mount Royal.  SAIT hockey fans can rest assured that the team is in good hands with this new era of veteran leadership.