Spirit name Braden Haché 24th captain in franchise history

Ahead of their season opener in Kitchener on Friday night, the Saginaw Spirit have named their captains for the 2023-2024 season. Overage defenseman Braden Haché will be the 24th Captain in the history of the Saginaw Spirit. Minnesota Wild 2nd-round pick Hunter Haight and Calumet, Mich. native Dean Loukus will serve as alternate captains this season. Roberto Mancini and Joey Willis will rotate as alternate captains, one home and one away.

“We’re lucky to have so many high-quality leaders in our dressing room,” said Spirit Head Coach Chris Lazary. “Braden is a natural leader in any room he walks into, and I’m proud to name him as our captain for such an important season. Hunter, Dean, Roberto and Joey have all demonstrated through their words and their actions that they can support the messaging of our captain and coaching staff. I look forward to see this leadership group in action.”

Acquired via trade with Barrie in late August, Braden Haché will make his regular-season debut for the Spirit adorned with the ‘C’ on his sweater. His 152 games of OHL experience have been split between the Colts and the Kingston Frontenacs, who drafted him with the 63rd overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He’s tallied 29 points (6G, 23A) and 148 PIM in his OHL career. In last year’s second-round run with the Colts, Haché was second only to LA Kings first-rounder Brandt Clarke among defenseman scoring with nine points (2G, 7A) in 13 games.

Hunter Haight, who arrived midway through last season from the Barrie Colts will serve as an alternate captain alongside overager Dean Loukus. Haight was given an ‘A’ shortly after his arrival in Saginaw and went on to record 51 points (18G, 33A) in 42 games. Loukus has played 129 games in the Ontario Hockey League, all with the Spirit. The 15th round selection in 2019 enters his overage season with 39 goals and 68 assists for 107 points.

Splitting the third alternate captain’s letter between home and road games will be Roberto Mancini and Joey Willis. The former enters his overage season with 168 games in the OHL, while the latter is fresh off a debut season that earned him OHL First All-Rookie Team honors (15G-29A-44P).