Thornton named 29th captain in Cougars franchise history

Defenceman Hudson Thornton has been named the 29th captain in the history of the Prince George Cougars.

The 20-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., is entering his fourth and final WHL season.

“It’s an absolute honour,” Thornton said. “You look in our room and there are so many good leaders and so many guys who could have worn the ‘C’ this year. It’s a privilege to wear it this year, an honour I don’t take lightly, and something I’m looking forward to.”

To start the 2023-24 WHL campaign, the 5-foot-11, 191-pound blueliner has recorded four points (1G-3A) in two games.

Thornton was named to the WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team in 2022-23 after setting a Prince George Cougars record for defencemen by scoring 23 goals. He finished the season with 74 points, good enough for second among all B.C. Division rearguards.

In addition to tabbing Thornton for captain duties, the Cougars also named three alternate captains – forwards Riley Heidt, Zac Funk and Koehn Ziemmer.

Originally selected by the Cougars in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Thornton has collected 126 points (39G-87A) in 141 career WHL regular season outings.

Thornton and the Cougars are on the road for back-to-back games in Victoria this Friday (7:05 p.m. PT) and Saturday (6:05 p.m. PT).

The Cougars return to the CN Centre Tuesday, October 3 (7 p.m. PT) when they host the Kelowna Rockets.

We are excited to announce that defenceman Hudson Thornton has been named the 29th captain in franchise history!

Congratulations, Huddy!

DETAILS📝 https://t.co/cQDVreB17m#ForTheNorth • #WHL pic.twitter.com/ilY1f3ZXez

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) September 29, 2023

Prince George Cougars Captains
Ethan Samson (2022-23)
Jonny Hooker (2021-22)
Jack Sander (2020-21)
Josh Maser (2019-20)
Josh Curtis (2018-19)
Dennis Cholowski (2017-18)
Sam Ruopp (2014-17)
Troy Bourke (2013-14)
Dan Gibb and Brock Hirsche (2012-13)
Brett Connolly (2010-11)
Garrett Thiessen (2009-10)
Art Bidlevski (2009-10)
Cameron Cepek and Dana Tyrell (2008-09)
Greg Gardner (2007-08)
Eric Hunter (2006-07)
Myles Zimmer (2004-06)
Chris Falloon (2003-04)
Blake Robson (2002-03)
Dan Hamhuis (2001-02)
Justin Cox (2000-01)
Tyler Bouck (1998-00)
Andrew Luciuk (1997-98)
Brad Mehalko (1996-97)
Geoff Lynch (1995-96)
Clayton Catellier and Rob Butz (1994-95)