Joe Baldinelli Named Team Captain

Head Coach was Larry Brzeczkowski announced Friday that he, along with the coaching staff, have named Joe Baldinelli captain for the 2010-2011 season.

Baldinelli, a native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will be entering his second season with the Purple Eagles in the 2010-2011 campaign.

The newest Purple Eagle captain is a true leader in every aspect of the word. On the ice Baldinelli tallied 48 points in his rookie year and in the classroom he achieved a 4.08 GPA while majoring in Accounting.

The winger asserted himself almost from the onset of his career at Niagara as a player who only was well respected by other members of the team but a player whom other players looked to for guidance.

“Joe is not only a true leader on the ice but off the ice as well,” commented Coach Brzeczkowski  “he is a hockey player in every sense of the word. [Joe] is going to mesh nicely with the two great captains we have in Trevor and Patrick… He is the type of player that pushes his teammates as hard as he pushes himself.”

Naming a captain so soon after the conclusion of the season is a bit out of the ordinary for the Purple Eagles. Traditionally, the announcement is made in April during the teams annual end of the year banquet.

 The Purple Eagles’ skipper sites continuity for the early decision.

“We have a lot of unfinished business and we are is going to start work outs and preparations for next season, next week. We felt it important to name our new captain as soon as possible as we transition into the off-season."

Baldinelli played his junior hockey for the Niagara Falls Canucks of the GOJHL Jr. B for over five years. His extensive and very successful junior career undoubtedly groomed Joe for his success at the collegiate level.

“It’s an honor to be named a captain for this program” commented Baldinelli “ I am very optimistic about the group of guys we have and will be bringing in for next season. I am going to do my best to lead this team to success”

Joe will join Sophomore Trevor Kenney and Junior Patrick Roth as the Purple Eagles triumvirate of captains. Baldinelli will replace graduating Senior Nick Gollaher.