Oakville, Ontario – The Oakville Blades are pleased to announce that Oakville-native Jackson Bales has been named the newest captain of the Junior A Hockey Club for the 50th anniversary this season.

Heading into his third full season with the club, Bales has put up 60 points in 94 games for his hometown club. The former Oakville Rangers Midget AAA forward had 47 points in his final season of midget in 2013-2014, which saw him also see eight games of action with the Blades. Previously, Bales was drafted in the 8th round, 143rd overall by the Saginaw Spirit at the 2013 OHL priority selection.

In 2015, the young forward committed to NCAA Division I team Merrimack University. Since then, Bales has gained attention throughout the league with his strong skating and his unmatchable work ethic.

“Jackson has been a positive influence over the past two years with our team,” said general manager Mike Daley. “He is a mature young man who is actively involved in the community, always puts the team ahead of himself, and is willing to play any role that the coaching staff asks of him. He leads by example with his on ice play and his professionalism off ice."

“Bales was a natural choice as captain of our hockey club,” said coach Mike Tarantino. “He has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches through being an exceptional young man as well as a hockey player who plays the game the right way. Jackson will no doubt do an excellent job of representing the Oakville Blades in our 50th Anniversary season, exemplifying all the qualities that we would want an Oakville Blade to be.”

Bales and the Blades are back in action on Saturday night to face the Milton Icehawks on the road. Oakville will return home to battle the Burlington Cougars on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, the first of two home pre-season games for Oakville this year.

Photo from Kevin Sousa