After a rough road trip, the San Diego Gulls hope to inspire their team by naming Sam Carrick the third captain in franchise history.
There have been a lot of transitions for both the Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls this season. Both teams have started the year with new coaches, fan favorites have departed, and the San Diego Gulls lost their captain over the summer to free agency. The Anaheim Ducks have taken flight, starting the season off 6-2-0. However, the San Diego Gulls have had a rough start to their season, losing three on the road and their home opener.
With Jaycob Megna‘s exit over the summer, it was no question who the new captain would be. Our suspicions were confirmed further when Sam Carrick was resigned to a one-year contract worth $700,000. It was no longer a matter of who would be captain, but when they would be announced as the third captain in San Diego Gulls history.
Prior to their home opener against the Stockton Heat, the moment came when coach Kevin Dineen announced to the team that Sam Carrick would be their new captain. The team seemed genuinely excited to officially have a new leader.
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"“Sam exemplifies exactly what you’re looking for in a player. He’s dedicated, he’s very sincere and he has a strong voice in the locker room. Unanimously, he was the right choice to wear the “C” for out team.” –Kevin Dineen, San Diego Gulls Head Coach"
As mentioned, it’s been a rough transition for the San Diego Gulls to start the season. Quite a few of their young players have graduated to the NHL. Others were snatched up in free agency over the summer and are settling in with their new teams. This team is craving a little more consistency, and with a solid leadership core, they can start to pick up the pieces and regain their confidence.
"“Being named captain is a huge honor. We are a team, and everyone needs to be a leader, not just those who wear a letter on their sweater. It is a privilage to play for San Diego and in front of our fans, we don’t take the impace we are able to have on the community for granted. I’m excited for the future of the oragnization and this is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.” –Sam Carrick, San Diego Gulls Captain"
It has yet to be officially confirmed by the organization, but it seems as though Kiefer Sherwood and Simon Benoit will stand by Carrick as his alternate captains. Together, the three of them lead the team in points (Sherwood with 4, Carrick and Benoit with 1.) Hopefully, moving forward, they can help lead the rest of the team in a season that, much like their parent club, will involve a lot of re-tooling.
Sam is sure to be a fantastic leader during his residency as the San Diego Gulls captain. His time wearing the “A” with the organization is further proof that he is the right player for the job. With Carrick wearing the “C” for the Gulls and Ryan Getzlaf wearing the “C” for the Anaheim Ducks, both the NHL and AHL teams have great representation on the ice.
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