Procyszyn named Captain

Ethan Procyszyn has been appointed captain of the North Bay Battalion, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Thursday.

Centre Procyszyn succeeds Owen Van Steensel, who was traded to the Barrie Colts on Sunday.

Procyszyn, who turned 18 on July 11, has scored 21 goals and earned 15 assists for 36 points in 36 games this season, his third in the league after being a first-round choice, 20th overall, in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the North Central Predators U16s.

Procyszyn becomes the 10th captain in the Battalion’s North Bay era, which dates to the 2013-14 season, following Barclay Goodrow, Marcus McIvor, Mike Amadio, Riley Bruce, Justin Brazeau, Brad Chenier, Luke Moncada, Liam Arnsby and Van Steensel.

“Ethan Procyszyn has been destined to be this team’s captain since the minute he walked into Memorial Gardens,” Adam Dennis, president and director of hockey operations, said of the third-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 National Hockey League Draft.

“He carries himself like a professional every day and is exactly the type of person we feel can lead this young group back into contention. He’s grown year over year on the ice, which is easy to see with the added production, but there’s been growth as a leader each year as well.

“We look forward to watching him carry on the tradition of great leaders that we’ve had here and know he’s up to the task.”

A resident of Wasaga Beach, Ont., Procyszyn has career totals of 160 games, 41 goals, 49 assists and 90 points.

With alternate captains Anthony Romani and Wyatt Kennedy dealt to Barrie and the Windsor Spitfires respectively, the Battalion named defencemen Jacob LeBlanc and Bronson Ride to fill those positions and will have three letter-wearers.

Overager LeBlanc, a resident of Port Colborne, Ont., was acquired from the Sarnia Sting in a trade Jan. 6, 2024. He has five goals and 29 assists for 34 points in 36 games this season. In 67 games with North Bay, he has five goals and 42 assists for 47 points, while his OHL totals are 238 games, 20 goals, 108 assists and 128 points.

“Jacob joined us at the trade deadline last year and now, 12 months later, has made a big enough impact on our team and community to wear a letter,” said Dennis. “He’s had a productive year on the ice and will have the opportunity to showcase himself in Brantford at the upcoming Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game.”

Ride, an Oakville, Ont., resident who turns 20 on Tuesday, joined the Troops in a Jan. 7, 2024, trade from the Niagara IceDogs. He has three assists in 36 games this season, 11 assists in 63 games with the Battalion and career totals of 206 games, seven goals, 36 assists and 43 points.

“Bronson came in last year and was a big help in our run to the Eastern Conference final,” noted Dennis. “This year, he’s taken on a bigger role and has made his presence felt on the ice and in the dressing room. He’s the ultimate protector and a guy our young players look up to.”

The Battalion was to play host to the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday night. Photo/article credit - North Bay Battalion