Calgary Flames prospect Honzek named first European captain of Vancouver Giants

Vancouver, B.C.- Sam Honzek is no stranger to getting knocked back early in his hockey career.

But time after time, he’s shown he has the physical and mental fortitude to bounce back.

That work ethic is one of the reasons why the Vancouver Giants selected Honzek as the 21st captain in franchise history.

“This means a lot to me. I’m really happy and ready to help the team,” Honzek said. “I would say I lead by example. How I work out off the ice and how I practice on the ice – that’s how I’m a leader and I’m going to try to help lead this team to the playoffs.”

The Trencin, Svk.-born forward is the first European play to see the ‘C’ stitched onto his Giants jersey.

“Obviously on the ice, his impact is quite large but not only that, he actually wanted to be a leader,” General Manager Barclay Parneta added. “He took it upon himself to communicate with players and talk to guys so I think he was ready for this.

“Some people think leaders are born but I don’t necessarily agree with that. I think they learn more how to be leaders and that’s what he’s doing. He’s growing into his role. With the way he conducts himself, just automatically, he’s going to be a leader because he works out like a pro. He prepares like a pro. He’s focused like a pro. But now he’s learning how to communicate with others to sort of bring them up to that level, in a way that is different with every player- because a 16-year-old has a different mindset than a 19-year-old. So that’s something that he’s learning how to sort of become a part of people and motivate them at different levels and take the time to talk to the kids like this.”

As excited as he is, Honzek admits the announcement has been part of a long process.

The news of his captaincy and season debut has been delayed by a lower-body injury the 19-year-old suffered near the end of the Calgary Flames’ preseason slate.

Honzek, who signed his entry-level contract with the Flames after being drafted in the first round, 16th overall, at the 2023 NHL draft, has spent more than a month rehabbing the injury in Calgary and keeping in touch with his Giants teammates over text- and the occasional flight out to the west coast to watch them play.

He put up 23 goals and 33 assists in 43 regular season games with the Giants in the 2022-23 season and was named the B.C. Division’s Rookie of the Year nominee.

“I think he’s gonna be a fast tracker with his body and frame as long as he stays healthy, I think there’s a real strong chance we’re going to see him with the Flames sooner than later,” Parneta said. “Come out and enjoy him this year for sure, I would say because you never know when you’ll see him again in a Giants uniform after that.”

The Giants’ leadership group is rounded out by returning alternate captain and Honzek’s fellow Flames prospect, Jaden Lipinski, Ty Halaburda and Vancouver’s longest-tenured players, Mazden Leslie and Logen Hammett.

“I think the main part is our chemistry,” Honzek said. “We’re really good friends with everyone. We help each other and respect each other so I think that’s really good and we can build on that in the future and hopefully the young guys can take an example from us.”

The freshly-minted captain is expected to make his return to the ice on December 1 as the Giants host the Kelowna Rockets and look to claw their way into the WHL playoff picture.