As a part of the Cougars' Feature Friday series, today's Cougar we'd like to shine a spotlight on is Justin Pringle. Justin re-joined the Cougars after a first stint in Cobourg during the 2018-2019 season, in which the Cougars dominated the East Division during the regular season, finishing the year 5-points ahead of Trenton for the top spot. Justin returned to the Cougars from our Ontario Hockey League (OHL) partner the Kingston Fronteacs and was named Captain this season. Learn more about Justin and his journey through junior hockey below. 

Justin played his minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and spent his minor-midget season with the Toronto Marlboros. Justin was 5th on his team in points, and 15th in scoring across the entire GTHL in his OHL Draft-eligible season and was selected in the 9th round, 179th overall, by the Kingston Frontenacs. "I was very happy to be picked by Kingston and relieved at the same time going through all those rounds undrafted." said Pringle on the draft day experience and was happy to be drafted by the Frontenacs "I knew it was a very beautiful city and a great organization which was a great feeling."

As a 9th round pick, Justin arrived at his first Training Camp and made a strong impression on the Fontenacs, making the club as an under-age player. "It was quite a nerve-racking at first jumping in with people much older and stronger than me, but I started to adjust and do well. Overall it was a great experience."  Making the jump to the OHL right out of minor-hockey is a big adjustment, and Pringle took it in stride with the Fronts entering his rookie season "I decided to play [OHL] because they offered me a spot and I wanted to prove I could play at that level at that age."

Due to an injury, Justin was looking for a place to play during the 2018-2019 season, and that's when Cobourg and the Cougars stood out as a place for him to get back on the ice. "I picked Cobourg because after I broke my ankle that year I needed to get my game back before going to the OHL and saw Cobourg as the perfect fit. The experience was better than I expected from a Jr. A team. Cobourg is run as if it is an OHL team with the schedule, staff and facilities." Pringle played 13 regular-season games for the Cougars that season and an additional 4 playoff games, and was impressed with the quality of hockey, "The biggest difference is IQ in my opinion. The speed isn't much different but the decision-making and little skills are the difference between the OJHL and the OHL."

The following season, Justin was back with the Frontenacs and set a career-high in points. This off-season, as an over-age player, Justin was looking for an opportunity to continue playing hockey, and that's when the Cougars came calling. "I wanted to come back because I had a great time when I was there before. Also, I wanted to help lead this team to a championship and bring the Cougars more recognition for how great an organization they are."

The Cougars management and Coaching Staff were so impressed with Justin that he was named Captain of the Cougars this season. "It was an honour to be named captain. It means a lot to me that the organization put its trust in me to lead such a high caliber team," said Pringle on the appointment. "I'm more of a lead by example captain. I'm vocal when I have to be, but for the most part, I try to lead by my actions."

While the Cougars await government permission to get back on the ice and into action, Justin has begun to think about his future "My goal for this year is to win a championship and have a fun year doing so with my teammates. Going forward I haven't fully decided yet what I want to do but I would be interested in staying in the game in some way."

While you and Justin wait for the Cougars to hit the ice, you can re-watch all of the Cougars pre-season games vs the Whitby Fury as well as all past games on HockeyTV.

Quick Hits:

Favourite Hockey Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Hockey Role Model: Jonathan Toews

Favourite Hockey Player: Connor McDavid

Pre-Game Meal: Spaghetti and Chicken

Currently Binging: Ironfist

Favourite Movie: Step Brothers