Bryant ready to shoulder captaincy
There was a notable absence when the Niagara IceDogs took to the ice Tuesday to begin training camp.
Captain Gavin Bryant was in the stands watching the proceedings as he continues to rehabilitate surgery to both shoulders.
“I’m going through the physio process,” he said. “Had them done in May and June. It’s coming close.”
Bryant gutted out playing through the discomfort last season, suiting up for 62 games and leading the team in scoring while providing some much needed leadership and stability on a young roster.
“It was one of those things where it was a nagging thing last year and I was able to play through it,” he said. “I sat down at the end of the year with my parents and agent and thought it was the right thing to get them both done for the long run.”
Bryant isn’t sure exactly when he will be back on the ice, but indicated he shouldn’t miss an extended period.
“It’s a lot of trial and error. I’m really aiming for the middle of October.”
The IceDogs open the regular season Friday, Sept. 27 in Ottawa.
Bryant began last season as one of four assistants before being named captain after the trade of Zac Lavoie to Brantford in January at the trade deadline.
At the time, head coach Ben Boudreau praised Bryan’s leadership qualities and his commitment to the organization.
“We went through a leadership change and a coaching change and you couldn’t have asked for a better guy to take ownership of that role and to come back knowing he’s the captain for next year, I think is really important,” Boudreau said. “He’s an unbelievable human, he brings the group together, he’s unbelievable on the ice.
“He’s an A-plus captain.”
Bryant feels last year’s struggles will pay off this season.
“It’s going to be good. I fully, 100 per cent support the moves we made, both in the coaching staff and player-wise,” he said. “I think it’s exciting times. The culture that we were building toward at the end of last year really showed — we weren’t able to show it standings-wise — but going into the summer the guys were excited and coming out of it the guys are just as excited.”
Bryant said the early vibes at camp are encouraging.
“It was a young group going on the ice last year but it was an exciting group and I feel those guys have matured over the summer and it’s going to make for a lot better showing this year. You can tell already. The guys are excited and amped to be back and see each other.”
Bryant feels a berth in the post-season is vital.
“I think it would be great for the guys who haven’t been there to experience it. The ultimate goal here is to win. You go into every year thinking that. It also what the fans want as well, a playoff push, a playoff run. We’re going to put the work in here now. It’s a long year and the work is just beginning. It’s going to be a good September and then we’ll get into October.”
Bryant is still weighing his options for the future.
“If I play myself into pro contract that would be great but school would be amazing as well. It’s good the opportunities you have when you play in the OHL. I’m going to make the best of it and see what happens,” he said.
The IceDogs open the pre-season Sunday afternoon in Peterborough.
Ice cubes: Seattle Kraken draft pick (2023 Round 4, 116th overall) Andrei Loshko has been acquired on waivers from Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Belarus native collected 54 points (23 goals, 31 assists) in 51 games last season. The winger will be the fourth overage player on the roster joining Gavin Bryant, Owen Flores and Noah Van Vliet. Teams can carry four OA’s until the trade deadline in January but may only dress three per game.
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