Talk with Gavin Bryant post game after the IceDogs took a big overtime win against the Oshawa Generals on Friday night. More on being named captain & his hot-streak as of late.
Gavin Bryant was named the captain of the Niagara IceDogs after the OHL Trade Deadline, and he has been in a groove ever since.
Bryant was recently named OHL Player of the Week and has 14 points through his last 9 games. Bryant is now up to 40 points in 37 games this season in his first with Niagara.
"It's coming from team success, everybody is buying in to what the coaches are saying," said Bryant on his individual success. "I got all the thanks to my teammates for that."
Bryant oozes all of the leadership traits you would want in a captain, both on and off the ice. He is spoken of very highly by his teammates and coaches, and he is very honoured to wear the 'C'.
"I got a lot of respect and a lot of class for this organization. It was pretty special for myself, my family, and it's an honour for sure," said Bryant.
Draft eligible forward Kevin He also said this about his linemate: "I love playing with him, he's a great guy on and off the ice, and he's made it really easy for me."
Gavin Bryant — the 2004-born winger — is finishing up his second-last year in major junior, as he will have one more crack with the club next season. Bryant will be a crucial veteran presence for this young group for the remainder of this season, but also next season as an overage player.
Bryant has spent a lot of time playing with youngsters Ryan Roobroeck, Kevin He, & Ethan Czata. When asked about playing with them and mentoring them, Bryant said, "makes me feel a little old, but they're good kids and they're easy to teach, easy to mentor, and they make it easy on the ice."
"It's a young group, it's an exciting group," said Bryant on the future of this team. "It's exciting for me as an older guy on the team for the next year and a half."