Fans are furious after a controversial 20-year-old player is named Team Captain
Being named the captain of any hockey team is an honor that should only be given to the most deserving of players. The captain of a team should be a leader, the type of player that everyone looks up to and someone who embodies the values of your entire organization. For some junior hockey teams that choice becomes far more difficult, with players leaving the organization every 3 years, sometimes their choices are limited.
While teams usually make the right decision, every once and awhile a team will make a decision so horrible it is universally panned by fans. While over the years fans have become more and more sensitive, it truly feels that the Red Deer Rebels completely missed the mark with their choice for captain.
Yesterday the Rebels took to their Twitter account to announce their new leadership group.
Headlining their leadership group was new team captain Kai Uchacz. The 20-year-old went undrafted this past summer despite scoring 50 goals and adding 35 assists in just 65 games. So how did a 50 goal scorer with 85 points go undrafted?
In 2020-21 was removed from the Seattle Thunderbirds after an incident involving a teammate.
The WHL opted to not implement their zero tolerance policy towards Uchacz and instead he was traded to Red Deer. After the announcement of Uchacz fans were furious, sharing their opinion on the decision.
While we certainly don't believe that Uchacz should have his life ruined over this mistake, it does seem a little bit short sighted to make the young man captain of the team. Hopefully Uchacz can use his platform for good going forward, but this does appear to be another team making a choice that just makes their own life more difficult.
