New Captains of the East

The Eastern Conference captains have a heavy weight on their shoulders, as they are battling in a very tough conference this season. Each captain has been selected for unique purposes, but all share the same role of trying to lead their team to the OHL Championship, and helping their teammates grow. 

Seven teams in the Eastern Conference have named new captains to start the season:

Connor Punnett wears the ‘C’ for the Barrie Colts this season as they try to replicate a very successful 2022-2023 regular season. 

Punnett is the leader on the Colts’ blueline, coming off of a 48 point season. The new captain had an invite to Detroit Red Wings development camp, as well as their Prospects Challenge, but he remains unsigned. 

Punnett leads the team on the ice with his momentum turning physicality and strength, as the Colts try to make it past the second round.

The 20 year old overager has been with the Bulldogs since the 2019-2020 season, and won the OHL Championship with the club in 2022. 

Lawson Sherk has been a lock on the Bulldogs’ penalty kill for the last couple seasons, as his two way game gets him lots of ice time, night in and night out. He isn’t a player that lights up the scoreboard on a consistent basis, but he does all the little things right. 

The trustworthy centre puts on the ‘C’ for his final OHL season to lead a very young team. Sherk will likely be seeking a pro contract by season’s end. 

Another overage defender in Chas Sharpe is wearing the captaincy this season. 

This is Sharpe’s 4th season with the Steelheads, and has some big shoes to fill as they lost three big overage pieces last season, James Hardie, Charlie Callaghan, and Kasper Larsen. 

Sharpe is set to play some heavy minutes this year with his strong defensive awareness, but also with his improved offensive play. 

Ottawa’s captaincy announcement came as a surprise to most, as recent NHL draft pick Luca Pinelli will wear the ‘C’ for the 67’s this season. 

Pinelli is coming off of a monster draft season, which got him selected in the 4th round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is rare to see a younger player named captain, but he experienced the hardships of their playoff elimination last year after a record breaking regular season. The competitive, goal scoring winger will look to turn the page. 

Since coming over from the London Knights two seasons ago, Stuart Rolofs has been one of Oshawa’s top wingers. 

The Generals’ talent has been bleak over the last few seasons, but Rolofs has been one of their consistent producers. 

Oshawa has a lot of young, high end talent in Calum Ritchie, Beckett Sennecke, Owen Griffin, and Ben Danford. Rolofs will look to lead as an overager and produce alongside their young talent.

Donovan McCoy has some large shoes to fill, with the departure of championship winning captain Shawn Spearing. 

When watching McCoy play, he visually appears as a leader on the ice. He is very poised, moves the puck well, and he’s very consistent. McCoy has played for the Petes since his first year eligible in the league, and he has consistently been a “safety blanket” for his team in the D zone. 

While wearing the ‘C’, McCoy will look to help his team defend their championship title. 

If one captaincy makes the most sense, it is this one. David Goyette has been a leader on the ice, and on the scoresheet since he first started playing for the Wolves. 

His style of play fits that of a leader, he takes charge in driving the offensive zone, and seemingly all of the offense goes through his hands. Goyette is one of the top offensive players in the entire league, and he will look to lead his team to a deep playoff run.