By Bill Potrecz – September 12, 2023
Dylan Pergentile is a thinking man’s hockey player.
The 20-year-old forward for the Port Colborne Sailors is a third-year engineering student at McMaster University whose intelligence on and off the ice is his biggest attribute.
“He has a really high IQ, a smart player,” Sailors coach Scott Barnes said. “He worries about face-offs, D-zone first. As a coach, those are things you teach and preach all the time and those are things he has. He’s a guy who can go talk to referees if need be.”
Toss in Pergentile’s attention to detail and strong worth ethic and the Grimsby native was a natural choice to wear the captain’s C this season.
“Obviously, I was pretty excited and happy to hear that,” Pergantile said. “I think there were a lot of guys who it could have gone to so I’m honoured.”
Pergantile is looking forward to his new role.
“I think someone who wants to get the best out of everybody,” Pergantile said when asked what makes a good leader. “Someone who wants to see everyone succeed to help the team win and also individually. Lead by example. Whatever style we’re trying to play, lead the charge and play that way as well.”
Barnes said Pergantile came into his own in that regard last season.
“With Dylan, it’s very natural. He took a really big step last year in communication with the staff. He’s a guy who kills penalties, block shots. There are a number of guys it could have been, but he was a very easy decision.”
Pergantile feels the best leaders help solve any issues before they even become an issue for the coaching staff.
“It’s huge. I think that’s how most issues should be resolved,” he said. “We’re fortunate over my years here we have had some great leaders and this year we have a lot of experience and guys who have been around. We have guys who are going to be our leadership group, but it’s also a whole group of other guys who are big leaders who aren’t wearing letters who are also going to be part of that.”
Grayson Gare, Nathan Kelly and Sam Tonelli will act as assistant captains.
“If you look at our roster, we have a lot of 19 and 20-year-olds and some good leaders,” Barnes said.
The Sailors open the 2023/24 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season at home Friday versus the Fort Erie Meteors.
“We’re raring to go. I’ve been ready to go since August,” Pergantile said. “I think we’re excited to be the first season as the Port Colborne Sailors with the logo on the ice. I think we’re going to be pretty jacked.”
Visit https://www.bpsportsniagara.com for all things sailors this season
