The dues paid and the gesture made.
Relentless workhorse forward Mark McLeod will spend his final season with the hometown Okotoks Jr. B Bisons as the unquestioned leader after being named the team’s captain for the 2016-17 season.
“Mark has been a leader on the team for the last three years and been here since he was 17,” said Bisons head coach Mike Hannigan. “I think he’s earned his stripes. He’s a great leader in the dressing room.
“It was a pretty unanimous decision.”
McLeod, one of four overage players on the roster, heads a leadership group featuring forwards Connor Tudor, Robbie McLean and defenceman Taylor McNeill serving as alternate captains.
“Honestly, it’s a pretty cool honour,” McLeod said. “Because they could have selected a few different guys, but for Mike to pick me was really awesome and meant a lot to me.”
In many ways, the 21-year-old forward has been groomed for the responsibility.
He was given a role as a checking forward in his rookie season, after being a point producer in the Midget ranks with the AA Oilers and AAA UFA Bisons, and excelled with the new responsibility. McLeod earned top defensive player honours in his freshman campaign of 2013-14 while helping the team to its most recent Heritage Junior Hockey League trophy.
While serving as alternate captain last season he put up a team-high 47 points and was named the club’s most valuable player.
“I like leaders to show it on the ice,” the coach added. “And Mark puts 100 per cent of what he’s got into every game. That’s what I want my team to be.”
Through three seasons, the Foothills Composite alumnus has also learned from a few of the Hannigan leadership school disciples – those who let their game do the talking for them.
“I took on a bit more of a leadership role last year with the A,” the captain added. “Watching guys like Darren (Bordt), Michael Savage my first year and Dylan Boyd, really helped out as well.
“They’re all team players and do whatever it takes to win, they always put their bodies on the line, play gritty and do whatever it takes. Whether it’s a big goal or big defensive play.”
McLeod, a second generation Bison whose father Scott played for the original Okotoks 85ers team in its inaugural season, faces the task of assimilating a largely new roster into the team concept.
“There are lots of younger kids and guys that aren’t used to the Bison culture,” Hannigan said. “I think he’s got some work to do to get everyone to buy in.”
It’s a process and one McLeod is all too familiar with.
Like everyone on the bench he was once a rookie, too.
“Every year you want to get to know each other as quick as you can,” McLeod said. “With so many new guys you want to try and get on the same page and get chemistry as soon as possible. Just talking in practice, in the dressing room, in games.
“It’s just getting to know everyone.”
