Captain Lecours leads with ferocious, fearless style

BY SCOTT HADDOW

When the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves need an emotional lift or a big spark at any point in any game, their captain Mathieu Lecours will always deliver.

A complete two-way player with grit and a passionate fire roaring inside his five-foot-seven, 150-pound body, Lecours is the true leader of the Nickel Capital Wolves and expects the best out of all his teammates.

Although not a towering giant, Lecours plays a big man's game. He has no reservations about hurling his diminutive frame into the biggest opponent on the ice to give his team a boost. He always helps quarterback the power play and owns a lethal howitzer for a shot.
There's a good reason Lecours plays his heart out every time he steps on the ice. He has something big to prove and loves to make his point loud and clear.

"My whole life, I've heard I am too small to play hockey," the 18-year-old said. "I've never really listened, but it has bothered me. It motivates me hearing those things…I have to prove myself every time I go on the ice, so I guess it's not that bad of a thing. I know what I am capable of and what I can do."

His teammates have nothing but the utmost respect for their captain and can't imagine going into battle with any other general leading the charge.

"Matty is a great leader," 16-year-old rookie goalie Christopher McDougall said. "He steps up all the time when we need him and comes through in the big games. He makes sure we're ready for each game and knows how to get us going."

The Sudbury coaching staff didn't have a hard time banging their heads together at the start of the season to pick the team captain. Lecours' offensive and defensive talents along with his determination made him the right choice.

"He's a real sparkplug for us," head coach Peter Michelutti Jr. said. "He leads by example with his hard work and commitment. He can score and has a great deal of knowledge of defence…it's what makes him one of the best players at this level. He's a tremendous all-around player."

Lecours caught the attention of the TELUS Cup awards committee, who selected him as the tournament's Top Forward after he recorded three goals and eight points in five games to finish fourth in scoring overall. Lecours deflected the award, like it was a blistering puck, away from him.

"It means a lot…but individual awards is not why we're all here," Lecours said hinting about winning the actual TELUS Cup title is the most important thing. "It's a little extra thing. I couldn't have made the plays I did without all the guys on the team."

Lecours thrives on doing anything he can to help his team experience the sweet taste of success.

"I expect a lot out of myself…I'm probably the guy who is the hardest on myself," the Grade 12 College Notre-Dame student said. "I just try and work my butt off everyday and hopefully the other guys follow and do the same. To achieve anything, you have to work harder than anyone else for it."

Seeing their five-foot-seven captain getting into eye-wincing collisions with six-foot-three monstrous foes compels the rest of the team to follow suit and do whatever they can to earn a win.

"When he goes out there and hits the big guys, or any guy, it makes us all go harder because he's the smallest guy on the team," McDougall said. "He's a great captain and I've learned a lot from him…and so have the other guys."

Lecours makes up a big part of the heart and soul of the Nickel Capital Wolves.

"He plays big on the ice…and has the heart of a lion," Michelutti Jr. said. "The players look up to him and feed off his energy. He always works hard…it's what makes him a true competitor."

The TELUS Cup has been one of the best experiences for Lecours.

"It's awesome…every game we play we have to play our best," he said. "It's everything I could have hoped for."

Lecours is hoping the event will propel him into the next level.

"My biggest aspiration is to play NCAA hockey…I know I could make the jump and help a team."