That’s what Corner Brook’s Evan Janes tries to do every shift as the captain of the Corner Brook Royals squad playing host to the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador peewee B hockey championship being held April 17-19 at the Corner Brook civic centre.
His commitment and dedication to the game is a reflection of the C he wears on his jersey as the team captain. It’s impressive that a first-year player gets the honour when most teams usually have a second-year player in the role.
Jamie Brake is coach of the team and he had a heart-to-heart chat with Evans about his role before the season started.
Brake told him he must show leadership to the rest of the group by working hard all the time regardless of what the scoreboard says and showing up early and ready to play on a consistent basis.
He takes his role seriously. He knows he must do the right things to get his teammates to follow so he’s just focused on being a solid player on and off the ice when it comes to being the captain.
“Work hard and if we’re down by a goal then don’t get down and keep trying,” Janes said of his focus heading into the tournament.
Janes, who is proud to wear No. 87 on his jersey like his hero Sidney Crosby, is an offensive player so he’s expected to score goals. But, he’s not worried about any pressure being placed on him by himself or the coaching staff.
It’s just a matter of him giving it his best every shift and being a great teammate in an effort to give the hometown fans something to cheer about.
He won a bronze medal last season at the provincial atom mega tournament on home ice.
This time around, gold is the only thing on his mind and he’s ready to lead the charge.
