NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2021-22 team captains of The OJ.

BY RON VALENTINE

JORDAN STOCK and I talked last December about his re-appointment as captain of the Milton Menace for the 2020-21 season that never was. Jordan was the OJHL's youngest captain in 2019-20 in the Menace's debut campaign following their move from Newmarket.

He recorded 55 points, sat out 101 penalty minutes and scored 24 goals, which included three game-winners, as well as a pair shorthanded. His biggest point night was a one-goal, three-assist performance in a tough 6-4 loss to the Oakville Blades in October. He also recorded four two-goal games.

Jordan has now been officially announced as the Milton captain for this upcoming season, his last in junior hockey. The Menace are the fifth OJHL club to name a captain for this season, and the first one to re-commit to a 'C'.

"I want to help put Milton back on the hockey map" said the Hamilton native who in 2018-19 played for his hometown Kilty Bees (19 points in 24 games) in the GOJHL following one and a half campaigns with the Brantford Jr. B '99ers.

Despite losing their first five games of the season the Menace ended their inaugural season with 17 wins, including back-to-back shutouts in November.

"It was tough mentally for everyone with us not being able to play at all but I worked hard on my conditioning during that time with my teammate Holden Rogers (also a Hamiltonian who is entering his senior year as well) and we worked on training to improve ourselves strength-wise,” he said. “Holden and I have played hockey against each other and on the same team for many years and I'm looking for him to have a breakout season." 

"It was not an easy season in 2019-20 for us being the new kids on the block but we learned a lot as a group and I learned a lot as a leader on and off the ice. The appointment of Dan (GM/head coach) Del Monte gave us a boost and though we took our lumps we came out with our heads up. This time around we are going to benefit from players who had that experience and are now ready and able to contribute more this season. It will be great to get on the ice safely and fully-vaccinated and for all of us it's been a long time coming."

"I don't plan to change my style of captaincy too much except perhaps to be a little more strict. I'll have some valuable help from other older guys. We have to be professional as a group. Over the next couple of weeks, we will find out where guys fit in the lineup but we have a good mix so far and just got stronger on defence with the arrival of a physical player in Blake Riddall from Fort Erie. He is among some key additions that will help us be successful."

"My personal goal remains to get (an NCAA) Division 1 commitment and I hope to nail that down before Christmas. I want to build on my totals for '19-'20 and I feel I can get into the 70-point range this time around. I play a physical style and I will have a strong group around me." 

"We are going to have some good rivalries as we play this season just against other teams in the North/West Conference, especially with Oakville, Burlington and Georgetown, but we will miss playing against the Buffalo Junior Sabres who always had a competitive club. We have a committed and strong coaching staff and management group in a city that is growing and becoming more aware of our team and the hockey opportunities for younger kids. It's always good to give back to that community and we look forward to seeing our fans back in their 'Menace' sweaters!" 

"Jordan is an exceptional leader,” said Milton Governor Jason Tryfon. “He takes all matters seriously, both on and off the ice. He’s the person his teammates look up to and admire but at the same time, share laughs and joke around with him as an equal. It’s very, very rare to find players with his talents both on and off the ice in one package. We’re lucky to have him as part of our club and he’ll make a D1 school very happy soon in his career."

For sure, No. 20 will be noticed by OJHL fans this season as he enters his fifth season (including '20-'21) in the junior hockey ranks. Opposing teams will once again see Jordan as a 'Menace' as the captain looks to help guide his club to a post-season berth. Milton will play their first three games of the 2021-22 season at the Memorial Arena on Thompson Road, beginning with the Brantford 99ers on the OJHL's opening night, Friday, Oct. 1. 

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda

Photo by Brian Watts of OJHL Images