Sarnia, On – Sarnia Sting Head Coach and General Manager Jacques Beaulieu announced the players who will serve as captains for the 2012-2013 season.

 Alex Galchenyuk was named as the captain of the Sting. Charlie Sarault, Craig Hottot, Connor Murphy and Reid Boucher have been named as Alternate Captains.

Galchenyuk, a first round pick (third overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, missed all but two games of the 2011-2012 season following an impressive rookie season in 2010-2011 when he scored 31 goals and 52 points accumulating 83 points in 68 games.

Beaulieu commented on the decision.

 “I’m really confident in all four of these players to be looked upon as the leadership group of our hockey club.  In Alex specifically you have a player who is a world-class talent yet works as hard as or harder than anyone both on and off the ice.  He
is an excellent example for all of players to look up to.  Also with Charlie, Craig, Connor and Reid we have a group that will each bring a different dynamic to the table and we feel collectively this is a very strong leadership group.”

Galchenyuk commented on his appointment as team captain.

“This is a huge honour to be named captain of the Sarnia Sting.  I feel like I will be the type of Captain who leads by example and try to push my teammates to work as hard as they possibly can every day.  Also with Charlie, Craig, Connor and Reid we have a very solid group of leaders.  I’m just very excited and can’t wait to start the season.”

Galchenyuk will lead the Sting in his first game as captain when the Sting open the regular season at the RBC Centre this Friday night against the Belleville Bulls at 7:00 p.m.  There will be pre-game festivities taking place prior to the game including an inflatable hockey zone, face painting and a barbeque all taking place outside of Gate 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.).