The Cowichan Valley Capitals' leadership group for the 2025-26 season has been named.
Ryan Harvey will don the captain's 'C' this season for the team, while returning defender Cam Charron, and forward Jack McAra, were named alternate captains along with incoming forward Massimo Fazio.
Three of those players were in the lineup on Friday, Sept. 12 at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River where the Capitals played their penultimate pre-season game, against the Kings.
The new captain got to work right away, scoring twice in a 5-2 victory over the Kings. McAra assisted on three of the five goals for a four-point night. Fazio had six minutes in penalties.
Trace Frieden stood out with a goal and three assists while Anthony Hall and Adam Lang also scored for Cowichan.
Recently acquired goaltender Rhett Stoesser, who was acquired by the Capitals from the Kelowna Rockets, was with the team but also did not dress.
"It was more the opportunity that he became available," said head coach and general manager Cam Keith on the signing. "It was one of those situations that you [couldn't look past]. We felt that the main reason for last year's lost in playoffs was goal tending. Adding Rhett, a proven three-year WHL veteran, should be the remedy for that issue. He's a guy that can be a difference maker in this league."
Stoesser played 91 games in the Western Hockey League, spending two seasons with the Red Deer Rebels before playing with Kelowna last season.
On Sunday afternoon, the Capitals faced off against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Cowichan Arena.
Cowichan came away with a 4-1 victory on goals from four different scorers. McAra and Frieden scored, along with Parson Shahi and Owen Fitzgerald.
Jack Hairshorn stopped 26 of 27 shots on goal for the win.
The Capitals kick off their regular season on the road on Sept. 19 in Surrey against the Surrey Eagles and on Sept. 20 against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The team's home opener is Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. against Alberni Valley.
