St. Paul Canadiens name new captain for 2023-24 season With the Junior B Hockey season nearing, the St. Paul Canadiens have welcomed veteran player Isaak Watters as the team’s new captain for the 2023-24 season.
Isaak Watters is pictured during the 2022 season. Watters has been named the new captain of the St. Paul Canadiens’ Jr. B team.File photoListen to this article00:02:53
ST. PAUL – With the Junior B Hockey season nearing, the St. Paul Canadiens have welcomed veteran player Isaak Watters as the team’s new captain for the 2023-24 season.
Watters, who is from Bonnyville, has been playing for the St. Paul Canadiens for the past three seasons, and this year will mark his last and final season in the NEAJBHL.
Head coach Corey deMoissac said Watters is a captain “everybody would want,” having the traits necessary for the job, such as leadership capabilities that are “top of his class” both on and off the ice.
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“You can rely on him and trust him in pretty much every situation.”
The head coach said that Watters is also a model player with his passion for the sport and his work ethic, as well as “doing all the correct little things properly on and off the ice,” that he would want other players to watch. “That in itself is leadership,” he said.
As a player, deMoissac said, “[Watters] is probably in the top three to five in this league in general… we expect big things from him.” Being a captain is a big responsibility to have, noted deMoissac, but he expressed his confidence that Watters could do the job.
To be named the captain feels “exciting,” and something Watters has always dreamed of while growing up as a child.
To “finally getting the opportunity in my last year to do that… it’s pretty cool,” said Watters.
Asked if there are challenges the team will need to work on leading up to the start of the season, he said, “We’ll find out in September,” when the team’s full roster is decided. “But I think we’re getting a lot of core guys back so that’s a really positive sign.”
He said many younger athletes have also signed up to come to camp, and they seem eager to “come and try to make an impact on this team.”
Watters thanked the team’s fan base for showing up and cheering on the Canadiens, “and making it such a cool experience to play for the St. Paul Canadiens.” Having their fans’ energy during games does really help the team get where they need to be, said Watters.
Coach deMoissac also thanked the fans and supporters, noting, “There’s nothing better than getting to the rink and seeing a full rink… and having businesses and supporters supporting us like they do in this community.”
As a coach, “It makes coaching and being at the rink more fun… so definitely a shout out to the community of St. Paul and everything they do for the St. Paul Canadiens.”
Asked what the biggest goal for the season is, deMoissac and Watters had the same response – to reach the finals and win the whole thing.
The St. Paul Canadiens are set to host a camp at the Glendon Arena Sept. 8 to 10. For more information contact Dean Smyl at 780-614-7147.