Ryan Falkenham Named Captain of Halifax Mooseheads

With Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin both in the NHL next season, the Halifax Mooseheads need to turn a new page on their future. Today, they took that first step announcing a new captain. Fourth year veteran Ryan Falkenham will serve as the Mooseheads captain next season.

Joining Falkenham in leading the Mooseheads next season will be forward Nikolaj Ehlers, a Winnipeg Jets draft pick and defenseman Austyn Hardie who will serve as alternate captains. 

Falkenham is going into his fourth season with the Mosseheads, despite missing the majority of last season due to a hip injury which required surgery to repair two tears. However Falkenham believes he is 100% healthy and ready to get back into the Mooseheads line-up.

"“I’m pretty much at 100 per cent now but I’m still building back up to game shape, just like everyone else here. I worked hard in the summer but you have to get your legs back into game shape every year in training camp. I’ll be ready to go when the season starts” ~ Ryan Falkenham"

He joined the Mooseheads roster as a 16 year-old, making him the youngest on the roster, but that never stopped him from making an impact. He was immediately killing penalties and lining up against opponents top forwards. His rookie season saw him record 12 points in 57 games, which would improve the next season to 21 points in 45 games. Last season he managed 5 points in 14 games.

Falkenham is a natural leader who will be expected to fill a large void for the Mooseheads after losing many veterans this season. He’ll be called upon to play big minutes, kill penalties and keep opponents top players in check.

“Ryan’s a pro, in his attitude and the way he conducts himself. The little things he does for a team is tough to measure” ~ Dominique Ducharme Mooseheads head coach

Joining him in the leadership role is fellow veteran Austyn Hardie. The defenceman is going into his fourth season with the Mooseheads and is looking to improve on a 18 point season. The interesting choice as alternate captain is Nikolaj Ehlers, who just signed his entry-level deal with the Jets and has a real shot at making the Jets squad for next season. 

The ninth overall pick from the 2014 draft had 49 goals and 104 points in 63 games with the Mooseheads last season and could be ready to make the leap to the NHL.

When the Mooseheads open up their season they will do so with Ryan Falkenham leading the way.