ECHL: Adirondack Thunder Name Ryan Wheeler Captain

The Assistant Captains

Jacob Graves

Graves, 30, will wear a letter for the third straight season and fourth during his career, but this time it will be an “A” after wearing the “C” with the Atlanta Gladiators and South Carolina Stingrays. He wore an “A” during the 2020-21 season with the Toledo Walleye. There was no doubt that Graves should be wearing a letter with Adirondack, especially having been in a leadership role before. The Barrie, Ontario, native is in his 10th season in the ECHL, with 14 goals and 71 assists for 85 points in 381 career games. He has two goals and four assists for six points in 33 career Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Justin Taylor

Taylor, 36, will don a letter for the third time in his career as he wore an “A” with the Kalamazoo Wings during the 2018-19 season and served as their captain during the 2021-22 season. The Midemoya, Ontario, native is in his 16th season after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Draft. In 870 ECHL games, he has 291 goals and 281 assists for 572 points. He has 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points in 73 career games. This is another solid choice for the Thunder, as Wheeler will have two players with a combined 26 years of ECHL experience to help guide him through his new role with the team.