The Sudbury U18 AAA Nickel Capitals continued with their string of pre-season announcements, confirming recently that rugged forward Kohen Crane will serve as team captain for the 2022-2023 season.

The Nickel City Hockey Association product and twin brother of Greater Sudbury Cubs' defenceman Carson Crane scored two goals and added eight assists in 18 games with the Nickel Caps last year and is looking to take his game to the next level this winter.

"I want to be more impactful on the scoresheet than I was last year," noted the senior at Confederation Secondary School. "I had an impactful game physically but I want to implement more skill and produce more this year."

"Being in the league for a second year in a row, I feel like my confidence has boosted and I will be more comfortable on the ice, more comfortable in offensive situations, more comfortable taking shots and making passes and stuff like that."

Over the years, both Kohen and Carson have certainly been tapped for the leadership skills, though the former does not a difference in leadership style between the two. "Carson is a captain who leads more on the ice than off the ice," said Kohen.

"He showcases his skills and leads by example, giving it his all every day, every game. I would like to lead more vocally in the room, but also on the ice, as well, because both are important."

"Whenever your team is feeling down or in a slump or something, it's a leader's job to kind of get them out of that."

The U18 AAA Nickel Capitals will open the 2022-2023 season with a pair of home games at the end of the month, welcoming the Soo Jr Greyhounds on (Friday) September 30th at 7:00 p.m. at the Garson Arena and then battling the U18 AAA North Bay Trappers Sunday afternoon (October 2nd) at Countryside.

The new team captain suggested the excitement is mounting with game play only a few weeks away. "There is more of a buzz this year than there was last year, with the team arranging media days and having guys coming to the rink, getting signed," said Crane.

"People are looking and that and noticing that."