SUMMERSIDE – TJ Shea will do something during the 2018-19 hockey season that he hasn’t done since his second year of atom.
That is serve as a team captain.
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals announced on Sunday that the Anglo/Tignish native has had the captain’s C stitched onto his No. 81 jersey for what will be his third season in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
“I’m pretty happy about it, and it’s always nice being a leader of a group,” the 20-year-old son of Lloyd and Cora Shea told the Journal Pioneer in an interview on Sunday night. “You have to be the leader and make sure the young guys are fitting in well, show them the ropes and try to lead the team to be successful.”
Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan said Shea is “a perfect fit” for the captain’s role.
“TJ and I talked a bit over the summer, and a lot of responsibility comes with being captain,” said McGuigan. “It was fitting to make the announcement (Sunday).
“We were doing a dinner, get-together and golf with the guys, and (last year’s graduating captain) Morgan MacDonald was there, and it was kind of a pass-the-torch type of situation. Morgan was a great captain and terrific in the community, and we will miss him.”
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Player of year
Shea served as an assistant captain during his sophomore season, which included him earning awards as the MHL’s player of the year, first-team all-star at right wing and winning the league scoring championship on the strength of 105 regular-season points. It was the highest total of points recorded in the MHL in 13 years.
Shea, who was named the team’s regular-season most valuable player (MVP) and co-recipient of playoff MVP on Sunday, says he “is excited” to be returning to the Caps, who will enter the new campaign with high expectations.
The Caps got a taste of success last season, including a surprising regular-season record of 33-16-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) in what was expected to be a rebuilding year, and the youthful squad took the eventual league-champion Edmundston Blizzard to seven games in the Eastlink North Division final series.
“I just want to win,” said Shea. “I had a good year last year with some points and that, but really the end result wasn’t what we wanted. We all want to win, and that’s what I’m looking to do this year.”
Interaction with coaches
As captain, Shea understands he may find himself spending more time than usual in McGuigan’s office.
“Billy will be putting weight on my shoulders to talk to the group and settle them down if anything is ever going on,” said Shea. “He’ll be relying on me to do stuff.
“Anything he will want said to the players will go through me. It will be a lot more interacting with players and coaches.”
McGuigan, who added Brodie MacArthur of Summerside will return as an assistant captain while the remaining assistants will be announced during training camp, explained the team’s leadership group serves as an arm between players and coaches.
“We want the leadership group to lead the team with their on-ice play, maturity, discipline and all those great things that great leaders possess,” said McGuigan. “TJ is mature beyond his years, he’s an outstanding kid, he’s great in the community, he’s great with kids, he’s a leader on the ice and off the ice and is the prototypical Western Capital we want to exemplify in the community and on the ice.”
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Numbers
TJ Shea’s statistics with Western Capitals:
2017-18
Regular Season
48 games
43 goals
62 assists
105 points
Playoffs
12 games
8 goals
20 assists
12 penalty minutes
2016-17
Regular Season
41 games
14 goals
25 assists
39 points
42 penalty minutes
Playoffs
10 games
2 goals
3 assists
5 points
10 penalty minutes
Awards
Western Capitals’ 2017-18 awards presented Sunday:
Most valuable player – TJ Shea.
Playoff MVPs – TJ Shea, Jordan Spence, Brodie MacArthur.
Top goaltender – Dominik Tmej.
Rookie of the year – Jordan Spence.
Top defenceman – Jordan Spence.
Most improved player – Cameron Roberts.
Top defensive forwards – Josh MacDonald and Chris Chaddock.
Most sportsmanlike player – Brodie MacArthur.
Sixth man of the year – Austin Taylor.
Basil Stewart Award (voted on by players) – TJ Shea.
Dr. W.A. MacKay Award (perseverance and dedication) – Austin Taylor.
Christopher Perry Fan Choice Award – TJ Shea.
Volunteer of the year – Cecil Gallant.
Community enrichment award – Morgan MacDonald.
