“It’s super special,” says the 19-year-old after being named team captain. “I grew up watching Neepawa, and I always wanted to play for them. We billeted guys as I was growing up and I always looked up to them. To be the now captain of the team, it’s just a huge honor. I can’t stress that enough, it’s very important to me and now can look forward to having a good year.”
Kasprick knows the big letter comes with a little extra attention, especially from younger kids who will come to the Yellowhead Centre to watch games. “I remember growing up, I didn’t know a ton of players names, but I always picked out the captain and would watch him.”
Having played over 100 MJHL games, the local boy says he’s been lucky to learn from some terrific leaders. “I learned so much from the leaders last year, Cody Gudnason, Connor Thompson, Ewan Poirier, Cade Bendtsen, all those guys. I know they’ll keep helping me this year, we’ll keep in touch, and I’ll keep trying to be like them.”
Being named captain of your hometown team is a big deal but Kasprick is grounded and plans to stick with what’s been working. “It’s a continuation of things. I don’t need to change who I am, so I’ll just be myself and have everyone just be who they are. We have a lot of returning players, we’ll keep pulling together, be a team. That’s really what it’s all about.”
Head Coach Ken Pearson says Cooper is the perfect player and person to lead the franchise going forward. “We are very excited to have Cooper lead our team as our captain for the upcoming season, in his time here with us, he has matured into a great player on the ice and an outstanding community first person off the ice. He is exactly the type of guy that we want our younger players and future Titans looking up to and we are very proud of him. Having a Neepawa boy as our captain is an added bonus for us and the community. It gives other local area boys something to strive for.”
Kasprick says having the support of teammates and especially his Head Coach means a great deal to him. “It’s great to have that support from Kenny, he’s a great coach. We have a wonderful staff with assistant coaches Zak Hicks and Landon Cameron. Three amazing coaches, just to have their support is huge. They have trust in me, and I have lots of trust in them. I think we have a good bond between the staff and the team. I really believe we can go far into the playoffs.”
Already looking forward to the season after a taste of the playoffs last year, the now captain can’t wait for things to ramp up over the next few weeks. “I’m really excited to get this going. Every sleep is one day closer. I know lots of guys are coming back early and I can’t wait to see them. We’re going to have a fun, good year.”
The Neepawa Titans open their regular season at home vs the Portage Terriers on Saturday, September 21st.
