Ian Clark's Monarchs Insider: 'C' for 'A' effort

A LEADER has emerged for the Manchester Monarchs.

After going with alternate captains only this season, the Monarchs finally sewed a "C" onto a jersey on Saturday night when defenseman Drew Bagnall was awarded the honor of team captain. The first-place Monarchs (11-4-2) will host Norfolk (8-8-1) tonight at 7 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Arena.

Bagnall becomes the eighth captain in Monarchs' history, joining Dane Jackson, Richard Seeley, Chris Schmidt, Brendan Buckley, Jon Klemm, Marty Murray and current alternate captain Gabe Gauthier.

"It's an honor," Bagnall said. "We have a team full of guys that could all be great leaders. To be named the captain amongst this team and amongst the guys that I really admire and respect means a lot to me."

BAGNALL

In his third season with Manchester, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Oakbank, Manitoba, is both a leader through his effort and his voice.

"Drew has emerged as our leader through his exceptional work habits and charismatic influence among his teammates," said Monarchs head coach Mark Morris. "He leads by example. You can count on him to always put the team first. He's a battler, willing to drop his gloves, block a shot or play with grit and tenacity against the opponent's top lines as a shutdown defender."

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Fellow defenseman Joe Piskula has been his defensive partner for three seasons and understands what makes Bagnall captain material.

"Bagnall is going to continue doing the same thing he's been doing," Piskula said. "He's a good leader. He stands up for guys out there. He's always trying to make the other guys around him better and that's why he is captain."

Bagnall has one goal and three assists for four points and a plus-three rating. He agrees that he is a mixture of the lead-by-example type and a vocal leader.

"I try to produce on the ice and try to do my job, make sure that I'm accountable and at the same time hold my teammates accountable," Bagnall said. "Sometimes something has to be said and sometimes it's not always what people want to hear but it's a responsibility you take on being captain."

Gauthier and Marc-Andre Cliche will continue to wear the alternate captain "A" designation. Scott Parse has also worn an "A" this year and is currently playing with the Kings in Los Angeles.

After tonight's game with Norfolk, the Monarchs will host Albany (8-8-2) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

RED HOT DEVILS: Following the home games tonight and Friday, the Monarchs will then have a quick turnaround with a 1:30 p.m. game Saturday at surging Lowell (10-5-3) with first place potentially on the line.

The Devils have gone 6-2-2 in their past 10 games and are 5-0-1 over the past six to climb within a single point of Manchester in the Atlantic Division. Lowell is at Springfield tonight and hosts Norfolk Friday.

Depending on the outcome of the Devils' and Monarchs' games leading into Saturday, that matinee could be for first place.

Ian Clark covers the Manchester Monarchs for the New Hampshire Union leader and Sunday News. Read his Monarchs blog at