Knights captain leads with edge

Danny Bois is the first to admit he’s not the prototypical hockey captain. So it came as a surprise to him — and no doubt will to many Knights fans — to learn the 20-year-old Thunder Bay native is the longest-serving captain in London Knights history. r

A quick check with London’s major junior hockey resource — longtime trainer Don Brankley — confirmed no Knight has worn the C on his sweater longer than Bois’s current three-season run.r

“That’s something. I never thought I would have it for this long,” the Knights fourth-year and over-age forward said yesterday before practice at the John Labatt Centre.r

“It just kind of happened. I remember when I got it (on Sept. 27, 2001), I just thought it was an honour that the coaches and players were behind me like that.”r

Bois was a captain or an alternate captain throughout most of his minor hockey days in Thunder Bay.r

But in the OHL, his physical, agitating style of play has often led to prime penalty box time and suspensions — not a common trait among storied NHL captains such as Steve Yzerman, Ron Francis and Mark Messier.r

In fact, Bois just returned from an eight-game suspension for driving Kitchener defenceman Andre Benoit’s forehead into the ice.r

“My style of game isn’t exactly what you would associate with a typical captain,” Bois said.r

“But it’s a style that has got me to this point and I’ve never been told to change the way I play.r

“I have a history (of suspensions) but when I’m out of the lineup, we have a lot of leaders on this team.r

“Wides (defenceman Dennis Wideman) is the guy who talks a lot in the dressing room — he deserves half this C and he’s been with me the whole time — and Sheps (overage forward Scott Sheppard) is the guy who can make you laugh and lighten the mood in the room when things are going bad.r

“Then there’s Corey Perry and David Bolland who provide leadership. Our team’s good that way. It makes being captain a pretty easy job.”r

While some may have concerns about his on-ice antics, Bois also happens to be one of the Knights’ most articulate and cheery players. He isn’t a big scorer, but his teammates respect the way he forechecks hard and knows no fear.r

While Bois was first appointed by Lindsay Hofford, current Knights head coach Dale Hunter said he never considered changing his captain.r

“No, Danny’s the guy,” Dale Hunter said. “He works hard and plays with a lot of emotion, and sometimes that can get the better of you.r

“But he is a good team player and he always does the little things you need to win.”r

Though Bois ended up apologizing to Benoit for the hit, he won’t admit to mellowing out. He is trying to cut down on his stickwork and stop drawing needless penalties, though.r

“When you’re playing a Sarnia or Windsor and it gets a little rough out there, there’s going to be a few guys they (the refs) keep an eye on,” Bois said. “I’m one of those guys and I need to stay in the lineup during the second half of the season.”r

A first-round Knights pick in 1999, Bois was drafted in the third round by Colorado in 2001 but went to Atlanta’s training camp this year.r

“I was pretty excited to come back to London this season because I knew we had a good group of guys.”r

GAME GUIDEr

Tomorrow: Knights vs. Erie, 7:30 p.m. at John Labatt Centrer

Saturday: Knights at Sarnia, 7:30 p.m. at Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre