Gabriel Szturc is the newest captain of the 琉璃神社 Rockets.

The team has been without a captain for the last couple weeks after trading captain Colton Dach to the Seattle Thunderbirds ahead of the WHL trade deadline.

鈥淚t means a lot to me to be named captain,鈥� said Szturc. 鈥淚 want to thank Bruce and Kris for this opportunity, it鈥檚 a very big honour. I want to lead the Rockets by doing the right things on and off the ice. I鈥檓 going to keep doing the things that I鈥檝e been doing and continue to be a role model for our younger players. I鈥檝e learned from previous captains that they were at the front of the train leading the team to win, that鈥檚 what I want to do here.鈥�

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Szturc becomes the 28th captain in team history and first ever European captain.

From Cesky Terin, Czechia, Szturc has 80 points (26 goals, 54 assists) in 96 career games.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a true leader, he鈥檚 someone that our group will rally behind and follow in his footsteps,鈥� said Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a player that comes in each and every day with a smile on his face; he works extremely hard in practice, in the gym and in games. As a European, he has worked diligently on his English, much like everything in his game. He always challenges everyone to be their best.鈥�

The 19-year-old is also coming off of winning a silver medal at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships where he collected eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games.

鈥淲e are so excited for Gabriel,鈥� said Rockets President and General Manager Hamilton. 鈥淗e has earned the utmost respect from his teammates, coaches and the fans. I congratulate him and look forward to watching his progress as a player and our captain.鈥�

Being born late in 2003, Szturc is NHL draft eligible for the second time this summer. He was recently ranked the 181st best skater in North America by NHL Central Scouting.

Szturc will don the 鈥楥鈥� for the first time on Friday night against the Vancouver Giants in Langley. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

Rockets fans will get their first chance to see him wear the 鈥楥鈥� on home ice on Saturday night when they welcome Vancouver to town. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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