The Bulldogs are proud to announce that Zeke Nicholson has been named the 22nd Captain in Alberni Valley Bulldogs history.
The 20 year old Nicholson is entering his fourth season in Hockey Valley, and has played in 172 regular season and playoff games in a Bulldog sweater. He had a career year last season, scoring 11 times while adding 15 assists, good for 26 points.
His play throughout the year saw Nicholson earn a scholarship to play NCAA Division I Hockey for the Robert Morris University Colonials next season.
On the honour and responsibility of being Captain, Nicholson commented: “I want to thank the Bulldogs organization and especially the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to Captain our team. I am beyond grateful that they see leadership qualities in me, and I’m excited to lead our team. We will continue to build on the winning culture we’ve established in recent years every day – whether that’s during practice, in games, out in the community, at the gym or in the classroom”
“Zeke is familiar to our Staff, entering his fourth year with our program. He’s aware of the standard we hold ourselves to. He’s a character individual that does everything right on and off the ice, and he has all the leadership qualities needed that will result in our players competing with him through the course of the upcoming season” commented Bulldogs Head Coach and General Manager Joe Martin.
Completing the 2024-2025 leadership group as Alternate Captains are Caden Tremblay, Grayson Badger, and Brady McIsaac.
Tremblay is entering his third year as a Bulldog, and has played in 130 career regular season and playoff contests. The 19 year old Port Alberni native chipped in with 11 assists in 49 regular season games last year, while scoring once and adding an assist in 17 games played on the Bulldogs march to the Coastal Conference Final.
Badger was a newcomer to the BCHL last season, and played in 70 regular season and playoff games. He scored 11 times and added 26 assists in the regular season, and found another gear in the playoffs where he scored 8 goals and added 12 assists for 20 points in just 18 games.
The 20 year old Hyde Park, Massachusetts native is committed to the Northeastern University Huskies next season.
Rounding out the leadership core is 19 year old Prince George native Brady McIsaac, who is entering his third year in the BCHL and his fourth year playing in Port Alberni. He’s played in 131 BCHL contests, scoring 17 times while adding 24 assists. McIsaac was a standout with the VIJHL’s Port Alberni Bombers in the 2021-22 season, scoring 23 goals in just 26 games played along with 21 assists to compile 44 points.
These four individuals will now carry the torch passed by last year’s Captain and Alternates – Nicholas Beneteau, Fischer O’Brien, Lucas Buzziol and Braden Blace.
The Bulldogs open their preseason tonight by hosting the Victoria Grizzlies at the Dawg Pound, before heading to Powell River for a matinee contest tomorrow.
They will host the Nanaimo Clippers for their season opener at the Dawg Pound on September 20th. Tickets are on sale by CLICKING HERE.
