Defenceman Ryan Murphy has been named the 48th captain in Kitchener Rangers history.
He takes over from Michael Catenacci, whom he credited, among others, as an influence.
Four assistants to be named later this afternoon at practice. My feeling is Tobias Rieder, Matt Puempel, Ben Thomson and Ben Fanelli. UPDATE: those four were indeed named assistants.
Murphy, a 2011 first round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes, had 11 goals and 43 assists in 49 games last year for the Rangers.
In other news, rookie forward Justin Bailey did not skate with the team, but did hit the ice after practice today. He is nursing a sore wrist after being slammed into the boards against Barrie in the team's final exhibition game. An MRI was taken and was negative.
Lines at practice included:
Thomson-Faksa-Rieder
Czinder-Alberga-Puempel
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Ming
Sterk-Meighan-Schmalz-Lesway-Llewellyn
10 guys on defence - Murphy, Fanelli, Hanes, McEneny, Iafrate, Genovese, Young, Midensky, Gilbert and Stewart