Township of Langley, BC, Thursday, September 22, 2011: The Langley Rivermen have announced their leadership group for their first season in the BCHL. Ryan Bakken, the 20 year old Langley born defenseman, will be the Rivermen’s first captain. The club’s alternate captains will be veteran forward Mike Tebbutt, Derek Sutliffe and defenceman Danny Vlanich.
“The group we have identified is a solid group of experienced veterans,” Head Coach & GM Steve O’Rourke noted that all four worked extremely hard during camp to set the example, “it is never an easy decision especially with a room full of qualified players and leaders.”
Bakken is expected to be a steady influence both on and off the ice for a young Rivermen team. In his final season of junior hockey, the Langley Minor Hockey product has grown into a solid force on the back end. Tebbutt, a 6-4 power forward, is going to be counted on to put up some points and lead the way for the forwards with solid two-way play. Sutliffe and Vlanich are new to the BCHL and Langley but have impressed with their play and presence in camp and during off season work outs.
You can see the new captains and the entire Rivermen team in their first home game this Saturday, September 24th at 7pm as they take on the Surrey Eagles. Tickets are on sale now at www.langleyrivermen.com
