Chadwick named captain as Contacts announce 2021-22 leadership group

Contacts head coach Dale Lambert finalized his leadership group for the 2021-22 season this week, naming defensemen Noah Chadwick as his team’s captain. 

Chadwick takes over the captaincy from Alex Bernauer, who had the honour of wearing the ‘C’ for the C’s during the abbreviated 2020-21 SMAAAHL season.

Despite only being 16-years-old, Chadwick’s body of work screams captain. He was a second-round selection of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and will be counted on heavily on the Contacts blue line this season. 

Chadwick was a late returnee to the Contacts, after being re-assigned to the club following the completion of Hurricanes pre-season schedule.

He made an instant impact on the club, registering a goal after rifling a puck home from the point in his first-game back in the orange and white last Saturday against the Notre Dame Hounds. But for Lambert, the reasoning behind naming the young defensemen his captain goes far beyond what  he brings while he’s on the ice.

“Since Noah came back from Lethbridge he’s been our leader on and off the ice; the team gravitates to him. He has the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff,” said Lambert.

“We could tell last year that Noah was the future captain here. The respect he shows everyone, his work ethic, his habits, and the way he competes; he’s a natural leader.”

Chadwick is one of two skaters to return to the Contacts following the 2020-21 season, along with Seth Dragan, who joins Chadwick on the leadership group.

Dragan, a fourth-round selection of the Estevan Bruins in the 2019 SJHL Bantam Draft, is a hard-nosed forward whose gritty style of play and hardwork is something the Contacts coaching staff hopes rubs off on his teammates over the course of the season. 

“I don’t know anyone who is more willing and gives more of himself to the team than Seth. He assumed the leaders role from day one, he brings his work boots and a great attitude everyday. He’s been the ‘dad’ in the room and is the ultimate teammate,” said Lambert.

Chadwick isn’t the only member of the Contacts blue line to have been drafted into the WHL. Prince Albert native Braydan Smith is a Vancouver Giants draftee, being selected in the sixth round of the 2020 Bantam Draft and he’ll be counted upon to provide leadership this season on this young Contacts roster, after being named an assistant captain.

“Braydan has been a consistent performer for the Contacts this year. He prefers to lead by example and has earned the respect of his teammates who already see him as a team leader,” said Contacts assistant coach Arley Olson.

Rounding out the leadership group is 2006-born forward Zach Moore, who joins the club after spending the last two season with the Saskatoon Stallions of the U15 SAAHL, where he registered 15 points in four games during the shortened 2020-21 season. 

“Zach is a very important part of not only this years team, but he’s a huge part of our future. Zach will grow into his leadership role under the guidance of his older teammates and will continue to develop into a top offensive player for the Contacts,” said Contacts assistant coach Michael Hengen.

The Contacts are back in action this Saturday night in Warman at Legends Centre in a matchup against the Wildcats. They’ll be on home ice next on Sunday, Oct. 17 against the Moose Jaw Warriors in what will come as their third regular-season game of the season.