Van Steensel named captain
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Owen Van Steensel has been appointed captain of the North Bay Battalion, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Friday.
Left winger Van Steensel, who turned 20 on Aug. 4, scored 41 goals and earned 45 assists for 86 points in 65 games last season, his third in the league after being a fourth-round choice in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs minor midgets.
Van Steensel becomes the ninth 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 and Liam Arnsby, who wore the ‘C’ for three seasons.
“He’s played in key roles in each of our last three years and can contribute in every area of the game,” Adam Dennis, director of hockey operations, said of Van Steensel.
“He’s been a lead-by-example guy who’s learned to use his voice whether it be in support of a friend or a timely wakeup call when the team is struggling. He’ll represent the team and community with pride, and we’re thrilled to have him lead the way this year.”
For his skill, discipline and versatility, Van Steensel, a five-foot-10, 185-pound resident of Ilderton, Ont., has been termed “the ultimate Battalion” by coach Ryan Oulahen.
Seen by many as a defensive specialist during his first two seasons with the club, which followed the 2020-21 campaign that was lost to covid, Van Steensel emerged offensively last year when he played on a line with centre Dalyn Wakely and right winger Anthony Romani, who topped the OHL in scoring with 58 goals.
Van Steensel was selected 63rd overall in 2020 from Elgin Middlesex, with whom he played on a line with Brady Stonehouse and Zander Veccia, who went in the second and third rounds respectively to the Ottawa 67’s and Mississauga Steelheads. Van Steensel led the Chiefs in scoring with 23 goals and 39 assists for 62 points in 33 games while Stonehouse had 54 points and Zeccia 46.
In 199 OHL games, Van Steensel has 62 goals and 86 assists for 148 points. In 49 games over three playoff runs to the Eastern Conference final, he has 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points.
Named as alternate captains were Romani and defenceman Wyatt Kennedy, both 19, and centre Ethan Procyszyn, 18.
“Always a natural ability to produce, but the way he goes about his game is such a great role model for young players to follow,” Dennis noted of Romani. “He’s improved in every facet and is someone whom everyone listens to when he speaks.”
Dennis said that Kennedy’s contributions haven’t always been publicly visible.
“He’s quietly gone about his business and done what we’ve asked but has added so much value behind the scenes that many wouldn’t know about. He’s someone we have leaned on throughout the years.”
Procyszyn was hailed as a leading role model.
“Ethan has been a leader since we drafted him. He’s been taking steps each year and is ready for this role. He’s a winner and consummate professional who we feel is a great example for our young players.”
The Battalion was to open the 2024-25 season by playing host to the Peterborough Petes on Friday night.
