For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
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541-680-6222 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2008
Frei, Mills and Bishop to Captain the Generals
Eugene, OR – The Eugene Generals announced earlier today that Michael Frei, Kyle Mills and Blake Bishop would be captains for the 2008/09 Eugene Generals squad. Frei will take the helm as the Captain, and Mills and Bishop will both wear A’s on their chest as Alternate Captains. This will be the first time any of these players has been a captain with the Generals. The decision comes just a week and one day before the Generals season, and home, opener against the Rogue Valley Wranglers.
“I am very confident that all three players that I have chosen to captain this team exude the kind of attributes that the ideal captain has,” Generals Head Coach Jay Miller stated. “I feel that each one of these young men has a particular leadership style that allows each captain to feed off the other two. We (the Generals) believe in not only developing hockey players, but developing men. The captains of this team will assist me, and the rest of the Generals staff, in developing the players on our roster into better hockey players and better people.”
Michael Frei (Zurich, SUI), who holds 22 Generals records, is entering his fourth season with the Generals. The 5-10 185 lb 20 year old forward will be the first import player on the Generals to be a captain.
“It’s and honor to be named the captain, and I’m up for the challenge,” Frei said. “I think my experience will help me greatly as a captain. This will be my fourth year with the team, and I think I can lead by example both on and off the ice.”
Kyle Mills (Anchorage, AK) is entering his second season with the Generals. Mills is a 5-8 150 19 year old defenseman who has tremendous offensive skills.
“It’s an honor to be named a captain, but it doesn’t really matter if I have a letter on my jersey or not,” Mills exclaimed. “I would try to lead in the same way if I didn’t have a letter on my jersey. It’s all about the team, and we all play for the logo on the front of our jerseys. I think I can bring my experience to the table, and I’m also one of the more vocal players on the team. I think I will be able to get the team to another level by vocalizing what I expect from myself and the rest of the team both on and off the ice.”
Blake Bishop (Aurora, CO) is entering his first season with the Generals. Bishop is a 5-11 175 lb 18 year old defenseman who is expected to be a force on the blue line for the Generals this season.
“It’s an honor to be named a captain because I’m the only rookie that is a captain,” Bishop stated. “With this position I feel like I can be even more of a leader to the rookies. I think I can push the players to help them achieve their goals this season, and I think my work ethic both on and off the ice will motivate the rest of my teammates.”
The three captains will have their first chance to lead the Generals in a game Friday, September 26 at Lane Events Center-Ice for the Generals Opening Night against the Rogue Valley Wranglers. The Generals swept the Wranglers in their eight game season series last season. For more information on Generals players or upcoming games please visit eugenegenerals.com.