Saco, Maine - Pirates head coach Ray Edwards announced Monday that Jordan Szwarz will serve as Pirates captain for the 2013-14 season. Edwards also announced that Andy Miele, Brandon Gormley, Brandon McMillan, and Tim Kennedy will serve as assistant captains.
Szwarz becomes the sixteenth captain in team history in his third year with the Pirates, taking over for former Pirate Alexandre Bolduc. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Szwarz has played 118 games for the Pirates over the last two seasons, scoring 18 goals and adding 35 assists. Szwarz set career highs in goals (11) and assists (22) in 60 games last season. Szwarz was named the winner of the Pirates’ Tom Ebright Award last season, given each season to a player who “best exemplifies what it means to be a Portland Pirate, as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright.”
“Jordan is a great teammate and a great leader, and he’ll be a great Pirates captain.” said Pirates Head Coach Ray Edwards. “He’s the kind of player who leads by example and gives everything he has every time he steps on the ice.”
Andy Miele will serve as one of the 4 assistant captains for the second straight season. Entering his third year
with the Pirates, Miele has led the team in points for the last two seasons, while winning the team MVP award in 2011-12 and the most popular player award in 2013-14. Miele re-signed with the Coyotes this summer on a 1 year deal.
Brandon Gormley will serve as an assistant captain for the first time. A second year player from Murray River, PEI, Gormley played 68 games during his rookie campaign in 12-13, tallying 5 goals and 24 assists. The 21 year old is the youngest assistant captain for the Pirates this season and was drafted in the 1st round of the 2010 NHL Entry Level Draft by the Coyotes.
Brandon McMillan will also serve as a Pirates assistant captain for the first time. Acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Matthew Lombardi at the 2013 trade deadline, McMillan suited up in 5 games for Portland last season, including 3 against the Syracuse Crunch during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The veteran forward has played 91 career NHL games, all with the Anaheim Ducks, to go with 114 career AHL games with Norfolk, Syracuse, and Portland.
Tim Kennedy will be an assistant captain in his second stint with the Pirates after signing with the Coyotes this past summer. The Buffalo, NY native spent the last 2 season with the San Jose Sharks organization after starting his career in Portland with the Pirates in 2008. Kennedy has played 125 career NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres, the San Jose Sharks, and Florida Panthers, and has suited up for 5 different AHL clubs.
The Pirates open their first full season at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on October 9th at 7 PM when they look to defend their VIP Cup Series title, presented by VIP Tires & Service, against the Manchester Monarchs. Puck drop is set for 7 pm. Season, group, flex and family ticket packages are now available by calling (207) 828-4665 or by calling the Colisee box office at (207) 783-2009 ext. 525
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