Laird named Troops’ captain
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Nolan Laird has been appointed captain of the North Bay Battalion, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Thursday.
Centre Laird succeeds Ethan Procyszyn, who has graduated to the professional ranks.
Laird becomes the 11th captain in the Battalion’s North Bay era, which dates to the 2013-14 season, following Barclay Goodrow, Marcus McIvor, Mike Amadio, Riley Bruce, Justin Brazeau, Brad Chenier, Luke Moncada, Liam Arnsby, Owen Van Steensel and Procyszyn.
Named as alternate captains were Rene Van Bommel, Aaron Enright and Parker Vaughan. Among the new leadership group, only Laird wore a letter last season, as an alternate.
“Nolan has bled green since the moment he was drafted and has been a part of some big moments in recent Battalion history,” said Adam Dennis, president and director of hockey operations.
“He has learned from great leaders in his time and knows what it takes to bring this group where we want to be come season’s end. We’re proud to have these four young men lead this year’s team and know they will make the club and community proud.”
Laird, who scored 10 goals and earned 14 assists for 24 points last season, has played two-plus seasons with North Bay, producing 20 goals and as many assists for 40 points in 154 games since being an eighth-round choice in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Clarington Toros U16s. The Port Perry, Ont., resident, the oldest member of the team, turned 20 on Jan. 4.
Fellow overager Van Bommel, a left winger who was an 11th-rounder to the London Knights in 2022 from the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, was acquired in a trade Aug. 4. In two-plus OHL seasons, he has 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points in 148 games. The Strathroy, Ont., resident turned 20 on May 14.
“Rene has come in and shown how valuable his experience will be for this team,” said Dennis. “He’s selfless and always willing to put the team goals ahead of his own.”
Defenceman Enright, who had two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 53 games last season, has two-season totals of four goals and 24 assists for 28 points in 102 games since North Bay selected him in the fourth round in 2023 from the Renfrew Wolves U18s. The Cobden, Ont., product turned 19 on March 28.
“Aaron has become a fan favourite in North Bay for obvious reasons on the ice, but in the room he’s a crucial part of the back end and has been a welcoming and approachable teammate regardless of age or status within the team,” noted Dennis.
Right winger Vaughan scored 14 goals and added 19 assists for 33 points in 68 games last season, his first full campaign with the Troops after a Jan. 5, 2025, trade from the Barrie Colts, who took him fifth overall in 2024 from the Elgin Middlesex Canucks. In one and a half seasons with the Battalion, the St. Thomas, Ont., resident has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 100 games. He turned 18 on March 6.
“Parker is a natural leader coming into his third season and primed for a big year,” said Dennis. “He’s already been a leader with the younger-aged players in previous seasons and is ready for this added responsibility.”
The Battalion plays host to Barrie at 7 p.m. Friday in the 2026-27 season opener for both teams.
