Zacharie Giroux named Firebirds captain
FLINT, Mich. – Firebirds head coach Ted Dent announced on Monday night at Fan Fest that center Zacharie Giroux has been named the team’s captain for the 2023-23 season.
Giroux enters his fourth season with the Firebirds. He first joined the team in the 2019-20 season after being taken in the third round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Giroux has played in 132 games during his Firebirds career, during which he has recorded 36 goals, 68 assists and a +21 plus/minus rating. He wore an A as an alternate captain for the 2022-23 season, had 21 goals and 32 assists in 67 games and was sixth on the team in both goals and points.
“It’s a dream come true,” Giroux said. “Every kid who grows up playing hockey wants to be captain of a team. It’s truly an honor that Ted and the staff believe in me for this opportunity.”
“Zach and I have spent the last two seasons together and I have the utmost respect for the way he has progressed as a player in that time,” Dent said. “His compete level in all situations is unmatched and he is always on board with the coaching staff and our decisions. He is the first player to volunteer for community events and has become a recognized figure in Flint and the surrounding areas.”
Giroux becomes the fifth captain in Firebirds history, joining Alex Peters (2015-17), Jalen Smereck (2017-18), Ty Dellandrea (2018-20) and Brennan Othmann (2021-22).
“His determination on the ice and relentless work ethic is what has made Zach a fan favorite here in Flint,” Dent said. “I’m really proud of Zach and our whole group is happy to have him as the fifth captain in team history.”
The Firebirds will open the 2023-24 regular season on the road against the Soo Greyhounds on Friday night. Puck drop from GFL Memorial Gardens is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. They then return home to the Dort Financial Center to take on the Kitchener Rangers for Opening Night on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Zacharie Giroux was born in Sudbury, Ontario, on April 5, 2003. Having been drafted to the team in the 2019 @OHLHockey draft, he is an original Firebird.
We are excited to announce that Zach will lead the team as the 2023-2024 team captain!
📰: https://t.co/IpLsR2uCal pic.twitter.com/mx6ba6M1h0
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) September 26, 2023
