Captain Bagnall

The following article featuring former St. Lawrence standout Drew Bagnall appeared November 18 on the Manchester Monarchs Web site.

On Saturday, November 14, defenseman Drew Bagnall was named the eighth Captain in the Manchester Monarchs history. In his third season with the organization, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Oakbank, Manitoba has become a voice in the locker room as well as a leader out on the ice.

“Drew has emerged as our leader through his exceptional work habits and charismatic influence among his teammates,” explained Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. “He leads by example. You can count on him to always put the team first. He’s a battler, willing to drop his gloves, block a shot or play with grit and tenacity against the opponent’s top lines as a shutdown defender.”

This will be Bagnall’s second stint wearing the coveted “C” on his jersey as he Captained the St. Lawrence Saints during his senior year, the 2006-07 season. He led the Saints to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Hockey League’s (ECACHL) regular season title and helped advance them to the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals. Bagnall was also the lone defenseman named as a Hobey Baker finalist that season.

Morris continued, “Bags possesses the unique human and personal skills to handle adversity head on. He’s sincere in his efforts to steer the team in the right direction. He’s made it easy on his teammates to follow his lead. Each year, he has continued to improve because of his commitment to his overall development.”

Monarchs defenseman Joe Piskula has been Bagnall’s linemate for the last three seasons and understands the coaches decision to name him the leader.

“Bagnall is going to continue doing the same thing he’s been doing,” said Piskula. “He’s a good leader. He stands up for guys out there. He’s always trying to make the other guys around him better and that’s why he is Captain.”

In reference to Bagnall being a vocal leader or if he leads by example, Piskula explained, “I’d say he’s a little of each. He does what’s right out there but he’s really vocal too. He doesn’t have much of a voice right now but he’s always one of the guys in the locker room talking and trying to get everybody going.”

Bagnall is a bit hoarse at the moment as he took a shot to the throat last Wednesday against Hartford. The players and coaches joke that he has to relay messages on the bench in practice so someone else can yell them out.

Following in the footsteps of Dane Jackson (2001-03), Richard Seeley (2003-04 and 2005-06), Chris Schmidt (2004-05), Brendan Buckley (2006-07), Jon Klemm (2007-08), Gabe Gauthier (2007-08) and Marty Murray (2008-09), Bagnall accepts and embraces his new role.

“It’s an honor,” said Bagnall. “We have a team full of guys that could all be great leaders. To be named the Captain amongst this team and amongst the guys that I really admire and respect means a lot to me.”

Bagnall explains his style as a leader as, “I think I’m a mixture of both (lead by example and as a vocal guy). I try to produce on the ice and try to do my job, make sure that I’m accountable and at the same time hold my teammates accountable. Sometimes something has to be said and sometimes it’s not always what people want to hear but it’s a responsibility you take on as being Captain.”

With a lot of young players on this season’s Monarchs team, Bagnall will have to show them how to be a professional in this industry and take responsibility for their actions. Before he was given the “C” to wear on his jersey, he was a leader in the locker room and that means a lot to his teammates.

“He really shows (his leadership) on the ice,” said Monarchs center Oscar Moller. “He speaks up in the dressing room and he really inspires you to play better. He will get on you if you don’t play good which is a really good thing. I am real happy for him that he’s the Captain right now and I’m proud of him.”