HENDERSON, NEV. - Estevan’s Brayden Pachal has earned another accolade in his young hockey career.
The Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL) announced Thursday that Pachal had been named the third captain in franchise history.
The Silver Knights are the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. Henderson is located just outside of Las Vegas.
Pachal, 22, is in his third season with the Golden Knights organization, and his second campaign in Henderson. He had served as an alternate captain until this point in the season.
“Brayden embodies what it means to be a Silver Knight,” said head coach Manny Viveiros. “He has a tremendous work ethic and has established himself as a leading voice in our locker room. He has experience serving as a captain in the past, and we know he’s a young man that can set a strong example to help our players win hockey games and reach their full potential.”
Pachal joined the Vegas Golden Knights as an undrafted free agent, signing an entry-level contract on Sept. 20, 2019. He was born and raised in Estevan, and played his minor hockey with the Estevan Minor Hockey Association until he started playing U15 AAA hockey in Moose Jaw. He also played a few games for the Estevan Bruins in 2014-15.
Pachal was the captain of the Prince Albert Raiders team that captured the Western Hockey League title in 2019. Pachal had 15 goals and 36 assists in 66 games played that season, and led the WHL in plus-minus at plus-76.
Also on that Raiders team was Estevan’s Cole Fonstad.
In his rookie season with the Chicago Wolves, Pachal totalled a goal and 10 points in 48 AHL games. In 53 games across two seasons in Henderson, Pachal has collected three goals and 12 points.
Pachal’s first game as captain will be Friday night when the Silver Knights face the Stockton Heat in Stockton, Cal.
