One Yorkton product is making quite a name for himself in the WHL.聽
Turner Ottenbreit was named as captain for the Seattle Thunderbirds last week. This was after spending time training with an NHL team.聽
Seattle鈥檚 general manager Russ Farwell made the announcement on Sept. 21.
鈥淭urner exemplifies what we are looking for in a leader,鈥� said head coach Matt O鈥橠ette in a press release. 鈥淗e understands our culture and will show the way for our young team. He along with [alternate captains] Nolan [Volcan] and Donovan [Neuls] will provide positive leadership for our group moving forward.鈥�
Ottenbreit spoke to Yorkton This Week after the announcement and said he was definitely excited for his new role.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a huge honour any time to be named captain in any organization - let alone one like this,鈥� the defenseman said.
Last year, Ottenbreit helped the Thunderbirds win the WHL championship. It was the first time in the franchise鈥檚 history that they won the trophy. Ottenbreit had 32 points in the regular season, and added another nine points in playoffs.聽
During the 2016-17 season, Ottenbreit was an assistant captain. He said this year, with his new title, he gave some thought to how his role would change.
鈥淚t shouldn鈥檛 really change what I do personally,鈥� he said. 鈥淛ust be a teammate to every body, try to get better, have fun while you鈥檙e here, and help everyone get better.鈥澛�
Ottenbreit recalled back to when he was playing hockey in Yorkton, and said he didn鈥檛 imagine this kind of success for himself.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 funny looking back,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty surreal, and such a cool experience. I鈥檓 proud of what I鈥檝e done so far, and I just want to keep going.鈥澛�
Ottenbreit played a few seasons of midget AAA in Yorkton before being scooped up by the WHL. He also played as an AP with the Terriers during their 2013-14 RBC cup run.
The future looks bright for the Yorkton star.聽
Earlier in September, he spent a few weeks training with the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL at their rookie and fall camps.聽
Otteinbreit said that experience was 鈥渁wesome.鈥�
鈥淚 really enjoyed my time there, and it brought me one step closer to where I want to be. It鈥檚 every kid鈥檚 dream to play in the NHL,鈥� he said.
He also said it was a huge learning opportunity, as he got to watch veteran NHL players go about their regular training and playing, from an arm鈥檚 length away.
The Seattle Thunderbirds started their regular season on Saturday night, and they started out strong with a 4-3 win over the Tri City Americans.
