Captain Canuck Bowden Singleton relishing final games in Calgary

The Centennial Cup will get underway Thursday at the Max Bell Centre, and Calgary Canucks captain Bowden Singleton is going to soak it all in.

Last year wasn’t an easy one for Calgary Canucks captain Bowden Singleton.

While the rest of his teammates battled it out in the Centennial Cup, Singleton had to watch from the press box.

He was injured in last year’s playoffs and that ended his season.

He admits it was a tough time but also a motivation.

“It kind of lit a fire under you,” he said.

“Missing the Centennial Cup—it sucked. I missed out on playing the best hockey in the country in Junior A, playing against those players and then, obviously, the experience of playing in the Centennial Cup is something special and something guys will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Healthy this time around

Fortunately, Singleton gets another crack at the Centennial Cup.

Even though the Canucks were guaranteed a spot in the national championship because they’re hosting, they wanted to be there as AJHL champs and Singleton played a big role in that.

He was like a man possessed in the AJHL playoffs, leading all scorers with six goals and 13 assists in just 13 games.

This is Singleton’s final season with the Canucks and the 20-year-old says he was highly motivated to play in the Centennial Cup this year.

“I was there (last year) but I wasn’t able to experience everything, so this year it will be really good,” he said.

Happy for their captain

Teammates felt for Singleton last year.

Forward Jack Plandowski says it’ll be nice to have their captain for the ride this time around.

“We really missed him last year,” Plandowski said.

“He would’ve been a big part of our run in the nationals last year. It’s awesome to have him (this year) and he’s excited.”

Difference-maker

Singleton has proven he can be a real difference-maker when healthy.

Head coach Brad Moran says Singleton raises his game when the competition gets harder.

“(He’s) a guy that can change a game in a minute or in a shift and he’s going to be in this tournament and we’re looking forward to it,” Moran said.

Great exit

Singleton is committed to the University of Tennessee next season and he says he can’t think of a better way to end his junior career in Calgary.

“I feel the Calgary Canucks organization took a turn for the better and has turned a new page and a new chapter. I’m super excited to go out this way,” he said.

The Canucks’ first game at the Centennial Cup is on Thursday night as they take on the SJHL champs, the Melfort Mustangs.

Puck drop for that game is a little after 7:30 p.m.