The Portage Terriers are continuing a recent trend of having their captain be a returning defenceman, with the team announcing that Parker Scherr will be named the captain for this season.
Scherr was acquired from the Olds Grizzlys on September 22, 2022, for Future Considerations, which has worked out tremendously for the Dogs, as Scherr quickly established himself as a threat at both ends of the ice.
Head Coach and GM of Portage, Blake Spiller commented in a press release from the Terriers that the decision was not very difficult.
"I think he was the obvious choice. He wore a letter for us last year and I think he's the consensus from our team."
Commanding respect from players on his own team and the teams around the league, Scherr is known on the ice for his snarl, but is known by his teammates and the community as a pleasure to be around outside the rink as well.
Scherr notes that he is honoured and excited to take on the role.
"Obviously, I've spent a lot of time in Portage in surrounded by the culture of Portage and the culture of the Terriers. So, I feel like over the past three years, I've gained a good understanding of what it takes to be the captain in Portage. The last couple of years, I've been led by absolute Grade 'A' leaders in Tayem Gislason and Kian Calder. They are unbelievable captains, and I feel like they've taught me how to be a good leader, and how to be a guy that the new players, and even the older guys can look up to and see as a role model, so I'm really excited about it."
Scherr joins a storied history of captains in the organization, many of whom have gone on to play hockey at the next level.
He shares that he thinks the new role will come with a mix of needing to be the locker room presence as well as being an example on the ice.
"If there's something that needs to be said, I won't be scared to address it. I feel like a good captain needs to have the strongest voice in the room and, when there is a time to say something, they've got to have the courage to say it," Scherr continues. "But at the same time, if you're the captain, you have to lead by example, and lead with your play style as well. You've got to be able to show the other players that you're willing to play the right way, and to do the little things that the coaches ask of you. So, if you have a good combination of both, I feel like that makes for a great leader."
Scherr and the group will wrap up the preseason soon and begin their quest for the Turnbull Cup on September 21 in Neepawa.