Township of Langley, BC, Wednesday, August 28, 2013: The Langley Rivermen Junior “A” hockey club announced today that newly named Captain Mitch Mclain has committed to play University hockey in 2014 with the Bowling Green Falcons, in Bowling Green, Ohio. Mclain is a native of Baxter, Minnesota so this decision means he will be playing a little closer to home when he suites up for the Falcons in the fall of 2014.
“I am super excited,” Mclain said about the opportunity to play closer to home,
“There’s a couple teams in the league that are in Minnesota. My family will be able to come watch, and I think that’s going to be really important for me.”
Mclain is coming off a strong rookie season with the Rivermen as he took on an Assistant Captain role later in the season and was recently named the team Captain in April, for the 2013-2014 season. The 19 year old collected 15 goals and 18 assists with the Rivermen during the 2012-2013 campaign. He also helped lead the Rivermen to a playoff berth where they fell in 4 games to cross town rivals, the South Surrey Eagles.
The focus at this time is the coming BCHL season, and it’s clear what Mclain wants for his team,
“We expect to win. We’re going to play hard every game and were going to be the toughest team to play against every night.”
Confident words from a Captain who has certainly settled into his role with no trouble, as his team has already started preparing for the new season and it’s been a positive start. The Rivermen have won both their exhibition games so far with two remaining, as they look primed for a winning season.
Mclain has one more season with the Rivermen to prepare for his jump to post-secondary hockey as he’s hoping the progression continues,
“Hopefully I make the jump to college, adapt well and hopefully find a career playing pro hockey.”
The Rivermen season is right around the corner as Mclain and his teammates start the 2013-2014 season on September 6th in Trail, BC against the Trail Smoke Eaters. The home opener for the Rivermen is set for Friday September 20th against the Coquitlam Express, in the Langley Events Centre. Game time is 7:15pm.
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