Captain Connor!
The Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are proud to introduce Connor Blake as team captain for the 2018/18 season. The 19-year-old Storm veteran is coming of an incredible sophomore season where he collected (27 goals, 30 assists) for 57 points in 55 regular season games. The Calgary native wasn’t finished there as he collected another 7 points in 9 playoff games and was influential in helping the Storm reach the second round of the AJHL playoffs for the first time since 2009.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be named captain for the 2018/19 season” says Connor. “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to lead this team on and off the ice. We have many leaders on our team that will help me along the way to pave a path with hard work and dedication so that the younger players will be able and willing to fallow. I will make sure that I lead by example and be a big contributor to the success of our team. I’m excited to come back to Grande Prairie, a community that has shown great support for the hockey team and me personally. I look forward to giving the Storm faithful something to cheer about!”
Head Coach and Associate General Manager Matt Keillor speaks very highly of Connor. “I will always have a special connection with Blake from our championship run in Bantam. When you have a special year like that you build memories that last forever. Every player on that roster was part of something bigger than themselves. As a coach you gain a high level of trust and comfortability with those players, there’s no layers, you know exactly what they bring. Connor is a player the teams. What I mean by that is he’s fully aware of all the moving parts that make up a strong team and he understands that his part is just as significant as the first-year rookie or the 4-year vet or even the bus driver. Connor wants to win really bad and he exemplifies our fast, skilled style of play. He has a goal of obtaining a Division1 scholarship and our staff wants to see him achieve that goal. His evolution as a player will take huge strides with the captaincy and I have no doubt he will be a force to be reckoned with this year”
Fans will get their first opportunity to see Blake dawn the “C” when the Storm hit the ice for preseason tilts at Revolution Place in late August. Check back soon for pre-season schedule!
