Mario Annicchiarico / Times Colonist
Photograph By DARREN STONE, Times Colonist
JUNE 1, 2017 08:24 PM
The Victoria Grizzlies have wasted little time in announcing their captain for the 2017-18 season, handing the coveted ‘C’ to power forward Lucas Clark.
The 20-year-old Port Perry, Ont., native will be entering his second B.C. Hockey League season with the Island Division champions.
“Clark is a do-it-all type of forward who is smart defensively, tough and hard to play against, works extremely hard in games and practices — and he is a very good offensive player on top of that. You can’t ask for much more in a forward,” Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon said.
Didmon expects the six-foot-two, 210-pound centre to play a big role for the team next season. With that comes an expectation to provide solid offensive numbers as well as leadership.
Clark recorded 17 goals and 26 assists in 57 regular-season games in 2016-17. He added four goals and four assists in 17 playoff games. He played mostly on an all-rookie line with Calgary product Jamie Rome and local Cam Thompson. The three combined for 50 goals and 121 points.
Rome is one of several candidates to become an assistant captain, to be named at a later date.
“Clark and Rome together are two big power forwards who bring speed and physicality,” said Didmon. “Thompson is a smart and physical player as well. They all bring a 200-foot game to the table and all three have a knack for putting the puck in the net.”
Clark replaces graduated defenceman Cody Van Lierop as captain. P.J. Conlon wore the ‘C’ the year before as the Grizzlies have gone through five captains in five years. The last three have hailed from Ontario.
“For me to be captain is a huge honour and at the same time, I know it comes with a ton of responsibility,” Clark said.
“I look forward to the challenge of rallying the great group of guys playing on this hockey club and continuing to build on this strong core of a team, where everyone has the same mindset — that goal of winning an RBC Cup,” added Clark, who will play his final year of junior eligibility, hoping to continue on to minor pro.
