NEWS

(pictured - Hamilton Red Wings second year captain Jason O'Connor leads the team both on-and-off the ice - photo credit:  Brian Watts/OJHL Images)

In the cyclical world of junior hockey a returning captain is not always an option for teams. This, however, is a luxury that the Hamilton Red Wings have this year with returning Captain Jason O’Connor. The 19-year old defender is entering his third year in the OJHL and was named captain last year by former coach John Mcdonald.

At the time Mcdonald was quoted as saying in the Hamilton Spectator, “Jason’s confidence, strength of character and ability to speak up among other things will help lead the Hamilton Red Wings.”

Having the returning captain is a bonus that is not lost on new coach Scott Elliott who himself is not unfamiliar with O’Connor. Elliot was an assistant coach during Jason’s rookie season and the year before was head coach when Jason was one of the final cuts. 

That familiarity has helped coach Elliott in his return to the bench, “Jason is a great leader, he brings three years of leadership to the room. He leads by example on the ice and leads by example off the ice.”

This leadership has also helped the transition of some newer players who have come from out of town like Laine McKay.  “With Laine coming from Northern Ontario, moving away from home, living in a town he doesn’t know. Having a guy like Jason O’Connor to mentor him and mold him and make him feel like it’s a family atmosphere is tremendous.”

While he oozes leadership and has earned the respect of his coaches it hasn’t always been easy for Jason. As an undersized defender playing in a sport with an infatuation for size he has had to fight for his opportunities. Part of this is what makes him such a great captain.

On top of this, his first season as captain of the Red Wings was sidetracked by an injury that knocked him out for two-thirds of the year.

Jason though, showing maturity beyond his years, was able to turn this negative from last year into a positive, “Just sitting out and observing up in the stands allows you to see certain things that you don’t see on the bench.”

Not only has this new perspective helped him in dealing with his teammates it has seemed to have a big impact in his on-ice production.

Through 22 games this season, he has already set a career-high with 19 points, which equals his career totals entering this season in 65 games.

All of this also comes with a large turnover on the Red Wings roster this season. Jason however takes it all in stride saying, “You always expect turnover in your roster,” and that this years group of Red Wings has, “gelled quickly in the room.”  

Clearly this is a sign of leadership and in terms of OJHL captains, Jason O’Connor is proving to be one of the best.