Chiefs name Cowen Captain

SENS19 · 09-25-2009, 04:56 PM

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The Spokane Chiefs have named defenseman Jared Cowen team captain. Cowen was recently returned to the Chiefs from the Ottawa Senators, who used their first round pick in the 2009 NHL Draft to select the 6’5” defenseman.

“Jared epitomizes what we’re trying to accomplish with Spokane Chiefs players,” Chiefs Head Coach Hardy Sauter said.

“We want our players to be mature, consistent, and bring a strong work ethic. As the games become more important as the season goes on we want them to thrive in pressure situations.

“We also want to be seen by our fans as something the community can be proud of.”

“It’s exciting,” Cowen said. “Not a lot of 18-year-olds are named captain so it’s a big honor. I think I was named captain because of how I do things, so I don’t think I will change. You don’t know how guys will respond to different leaders, but I think I will lead by example.”

Cowen, the first overall selection in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, is entering his third full season in the WHL and has played 122 games in a Chiefs jersey. In 48 games last year, Cowen had seven goals, 21 points and a +12. The previous season he was named the Chiefs Rookie of the Year and Western Conference Scholastic Player of the Year as a 16-year-old. Cowen was an integral part of the Chiefs 2008 Memorial Cup Championship.

“I don’t think something like this adds too much pressure. I’m not the only leader on this team, there are a lot of guys in the room who are veterans and want to be successful.”

The Chiefs have also named defenseman Jared Spurgeon and forwards Mitch Wahl and Tyler Johnson as alternate captains.

“Our leadership is outstanding,” Sauter said. “We have character and fire in this group. We also have a close knit group as an organization. I think we’re being rewarded by smart drafts and trades and it shows in the fact that we have really good people.”

Spurgeon is wearing a letter for the third season as he enters his fifth in Spokane. The 20-year-old will miss the Chiefs home opener on Saturday night when Spokane hosts the Tri-City Americans. Spurgeon is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. In his absence, four-year veteran Levko Koper will wear an A and be a part of the Chiefs leadership group throughout the season.

Wahl, the Calgary Flames second round pick in 2008, finished second on the Chiefs in scoring last season with 32 goals and 67 points. The 19-year-old has 188 career points in Spokane in 201 career games.

Johnson, a Spokane native, had 26 goals and 61 points last year and is entering his third season in Spokane. He and Wahl played for the United States World Junior team last year and are both eligible again to play for them this year.

spokanechiefs.com: News