Anthony Kapelke is appreciative of the opportunity to be the Humboldt Broncos’ captain for a second straight season.
The 20-year-old defenceman captained the team last season under head coach and general manager Ryan Smith. When Smith departed for the Western Hockey League and Darcy Haugan came in to take on both roles, trust was once again placed in Kapelke to lead the Broncos.
“It’s an absolute honour to be the Broncos’ captain again this year, especially with another change in our head coach,” the Edmonton native wrote in an email interview. “It shows how much Darcy trusts us and respects our leadership. I definitely learned from my mistakes last year and hope that another year as captain will only strengthen our group and help me lead.”
The Broncos went 0-2 last week and are 5-8-2-0 overall. The squad has a very busy week. The Broncos were to host Flin Flon on Oct. 27 before playing in Kindersley the next night. On Oct. 30, they are in Yorkton before returning to the Elgar Petersen Arena to play Melville on Nov. 1.
Haugan has been pleased by what he has seen so far this season from Kapelke as a leader.
“He works hard,” Haugan said. “He is a competitor. He has had a real positive influence in our dressing room. …
“He wants to win and he wants to win in a Humboldt jersey.”
The head coach emphasized the example Kapelke sets for other. Haugan stated the blue liner has a strong desire to get better, is not satisfied with where he is at, and is receptive to critique. Kapelke earned the Broncos’ fitness award the last two seasons.
“You see him in the gym trying it get ready for games and practices,” Haugan said. “That is the visual the rookies need to see. They see how hard these guys work.”
When asked about his leadership, Kapelke quickly and strongly emphasized that there are many leaders within the Humboldt dressing room.
“Every person leads differently in their own way. Some guys are vocal in the room, some vocal on the bench, and others lead by example.
“For myself, I try my best each and every day to make the people around me better. I want to see each guy in our room succeed, because that results in team success. I lead the best way I know how; by offering a support system for my teammates, working hard, and doing the little things day in and day out.”
Kapelke is a key player on the ice for the Broncos. The 6-foot, 210-pounder is one of the anchors of the team’s blue line. Haugan emphasized that Kapelke plays in all situation. The head coach praised his strength, size, good shot, and ability to make a good first pass. Kapelke has two goals, four assists, and 18 penalty minutes in 15 games this season.
Kapelke played for the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drayton Valley Thunder as a 17-year-old. He split his 18-year-old campaign between the Thunder, the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Humboldt. He had 19 points and 103 penalty minutes in 56 games for the Broncos last season. Kapelke has greatly enjoyed his time in Humboldt.
“The exceptional history and culture of the Humboldt Broncos is one I am very proud to be a part of,” Kapelke wrote. “This team has a history that consists of winning and this organization constitutes what it means to ‘excel.’ The prestige that bleeds from this club is one of great importance, and to me playing here is like nothing else.”
A strong student, Kapelke is taking a kinesiology class at Muenster’s St. Peter’s College and wants to pursue hockey at the post-secondary level. He hopes to play NCAA Division I hockey, but if that does not happen he plans to play at the school that is the best fit academically.
Warkentine Called Up
Broncos rookie Drew Warkentine has been called up to his hometown Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. He had collected a goal in five games as a Bronco. The call-up prevented Warkentine from facing off against his older brother Miles when the Broncos took on the Melfort Mustangs.
The 17-year-old went to camp with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice but opted to come back to Saskatchewan. Last week the Raiders acquired his rights for 18-year-old forward Dylan Stewart and a conditional fifth round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.
Last Week
The Broncos fell 5-1 at home to the Notre Dame Hounds on Oct. 20. Jace Pesch, a 19-year-old from Grand Forks, Minn., had Humboldt’s lone goal with his third of the season. Brett Clark made 29 saves for the Broncos.
Notre Dame goalie Alexi Thibaudeau stopped 14 of 15 shots he faced. Scoring for the Hounds were Peyton Hogan, Nathan Walsh, Chance Longjohn, and Ian Williams, who had a pair.
The Broncos lost 4-1 on the road to Melfort on Oct. 23. Kapelke scored Humboldt’s goal. Broncos goalie Brett Friesen recorded 35 saves.
Richard Palmer had 14 saves for the Mustangs. Travis Mayan had four points, including two goals, while Braxx George and Eric Sinclair also scored.
Catching Up With
Graeme Harrington (2005-2006) is a student-at-law for Properzi Tims, a law firm in Westlock Alta. The former Broncos goaltender from Glenside said he remembers well the community support, billets, the great group of guys, and the staff from his time in Humboldt.
Harrington capped his junior career by playing two seasons with the Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. He helped the team win a league championship in 2008. Harrington was part of the University of North Dakota and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology hockey programs while earning an undergraduate degree. He attended law school at the University of Alberta.
