With the 2020-21 East Division Hub starting on Friday, the Pats named their leadership group. Two of the four 2019-20 leaders return to the fold. Austin Pratt graduated and Nikita Sedov played the season in Russia. Logan Nijhoff and Kyle Walker return and continue to wear letters.
Some exciting Monday morning news from @LoganNijhoff. 'C' for yourself… ? pic.twitter.com/nebW2XQLao
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 8, 2021
Wearing the ‘C’
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The 80th captain in Regina Pats’ history is Logan Nijhoff. The 19-year-old veteran heads into his fourth full season in the league. The Comox, BC product was an alternate captain for the 2019-20 season, now takes the reigns from the recently graduated forward Pratt.
“My family and I have always been extremely honoured and grateful to be part of the Pats organization. It’s always been special and a great privilege to pull on the Pats sweater and now it will be my honour to wear the ‘C’ for junior hockey’s oldest franchise. The team and I can’t wait to hit the ice March 12th and although it won’t be the same without you guys in the stands we know you’ll be cheering us along. Thanks for your continued support, Pats fans. Go Pats Go.” – Logan Nijhoff
Nijhoff is coming off of a career season with 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 61 games. In his 150 career games, he has 26 goals to go with 51 assists. The Pats will in no doubt lean upon him to continue getting better and putting up some good numbers.
Full-time alternates
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Another 2019-20 alternate captain who returns as a leader for the 2020-21 season is 20-year-old defenseman, Kyle Walker. Acquired from the Silvertips in 2018, Walker has 163 games of experience in the WHL, 99 games with the Pats. The Leduc, AB product had a career-high five goals and 14 points in 56 games in the shortened campaign. The steady physical defenseman will be looked upon to help bring along the young defensive group the Pats have.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The other full-time alternate Ryker Evans is going into his third season with the blue and white. The Calgary, AB product scored a career-high 31 points, almost tripling his 11-point rookie season. With 108 WHL games under his belt, Evans heads into his third season with the Pats with the second most experience on the blueline. Evans will likely carry much of the powerplay quarterbacking and to help groom the younger offensive-minded defensemen.
Part-time alternates
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Overage forward and Regina product Carson Denomie will wear an ‘A’ for Pats road games in the Eastern Division Hub. Acquired from Moose Jaw, Denomie joined the Pats in November of 2019. As a 19-year-old, he suited up for 46 games in the blue and white scoring 16 times while assisting on 21 others before the season ended prematurely. In 198 career games with Kamloops, Moose Jaw, and Regina the left-winger has amassed 86 points which includes 35 goals. Denomie will be counted upon to be a sniper for the Pats and will most likely see a lot of ice time in the top six.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Drew Englot a second-year forward will don an ‘A’ for all of the Pats’ home games in the hub. The 18-year-old Candiac, SK product is the youngest Pat of the group. As a rookie, Englot scored 12 times and added 8 assists in 56 games picking up the clubs’ rookie of the year honors. He will certainly get a lot of time in the top six and have every opportunity to score.
Expectations
The Pats had a less than stellar 2019-20 season and will look to improve in the new season. The Pats will have as many as eleven rookies in their lineup for the Hub games. A 24-game schedule does not give much time for the new leadership group to strut their stuff.
The expectations are high for the 2020-21 edition of the Pats but there are so many questions with the team. Nijhoff, Walker, Evans, Denomie, and Englot will help answer many of them.
Less than a week until puck drop!
