New Gael to ‘Cap’ off men’s hockey roster

Dharan Cap joins Queen’s Men’s Hockey

AIDAN MICHAELOV Assistant Sports Editor

A new recruit will hit the ice this season as the Gael Men’s Hockey team add another player to their roster. Originally from Vancouver, Dharan Cap is a strong forward with top-tier goal-scoring ability, a great forecheck and backcheck, and an unrivalled physicality on the ice.

Cap’s love for hockey ignited at a young age. He cites his older brother Ethan as his biggest influence.

“He’s playing pro and I’ve looked up to him ever since I was little and following in his footsteps here,” said Cap in an interview with The Journal.

Cap made his way through the AAA circuit playing for the Vancouver North West Hawks, where he stood out for his defensive and physical capabilities.

Most recently, Cap played for the Soo Thunderbirds in Sault Ste. Marie for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). There, he won the NOJHL championship in the 2021-22 season, and was awarded the NOJHL’s Top Defensive Forward award.

Cap highlighted his devotion towards the physical aspect of the sport as one of his most valuable skills.

“I like creating turnovers and being a two-way player. I can lock it down in the [defensive] zone and make plays in the offensive zone.”

With each season playing for the Soo Thunderbirds, Cap improved his offensive game. Last season, Cap posted 30 goals and 38 assists, totaling 68 points in 55 games.

When asked about where he sees himself making an impact on the Gaels roster this upcoming season, Cap emphasized his ambition to win is built on commitment to his team.

“I know Coach Gibson was talking a lot about how they missed playoffs last year, and they want to make a run for it this year,” Cap said. “I’m hoping to bring my experience of a team first mentality and having a great connection with the guys and making it to the championship.”

Faced with the challenge of living away from home and without a billet family for the first time since his departure from junior hockey, Cap joked that cooking for himself will definitely be an adjustment. He sees opportunity for disaster living in a house with six other Gael’s hockey players.

RORY STINSON

Senior Sports Editor

Four members of the Queen’s Rowing teams took to Bulgarian waters this summer as part of the U23 World Rowing Championship.

Bob Bryden, Lucas Celia, and Andrew Hubbard of the Men’s Rowing team, and Claire Ellison from the Women’s Rowing team faced off against international competitors in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from July 19 to 23.

The tournament ended with mixed finishes for the Queen’s athletes.

Ellison finished third in the U23 Women’s Eight Final race, Bryden finished fifth in the U23 Men’s Pair Final B race, Celia finished third in the U23 Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls Final race, and Hubbard finished fourth in the U23 Men’s Double Sculls Final C race.

As one of the closest races of the tournament, Ellison’s team was decided by a photo finish. Her team finished a mere 0.06 seconds ahead of Great Britain to secure the bronze medal. Germany won silver and U.S.A. won Gold.

Celia won bronze, with a third place finish 6.31 seconds ahead of U.S.A. in the Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls Final—a goal he mentioned in an interview with The Journal. He finished

“We’ve got a house of seven hockey guys, that’s gonna get messy. On top of engineering. It’ll be a good time though.”

While it will be Cap’s first time living in a student house, he has no plans to shy away from the opportunity to meet with consistency, routine and social connections. place to go for walks or play some pickup sports with friends.

Intramurals are a great way for first-year students to play sports in a competitive environment, without the time commitment of varsity and club sports.

Many students at Queen’s find that playing various sports and going to the gym helps them succeed in all aspects of their university life. Staying active benefits not only their mental and physical health, but also provides the opportunity to continue to participate in sports they’re passionate about.

Students also love to watch varsity sports for the great action, passion and energy everyone brings to every game.

Karley Salsbury, who is the current Manager of Intramurals and Recreation Clubs at A&R, mentioned the importance of staying active during the transition to postsecondary. To Salsbury, staying active provides students

Some upcoming games this fall are the Queen’s Football Homecoming Game, the Vanier Cup, U Sports Women’s Soccer Championship, and the Engineering vs. Commerce Basketball Game.

Four Gaels are rowing in championship

beyond Germany and Italy.

“It was awesome that I hit that stepping stone, but the finish line is yet to come,” he said .

Both Ellison and Celia discussed preparation for the championship prior to the race.

“At the beginning of spring, we were training two to three times a day, six days a week some days— sometimes even seven days in a row,” said Celia in an interview with The Journal Ellison detailed what training sessions looked like for her.

“We do a lot of on-water training, when we’re in season,” she said. “Putting in some really good technical work in the fall is sort of the first building block and then we’re inside for most of the winter and we’re doing training on IR’s [Indoor Rowers] and lots of time spent on stationary bikes, in the weight room.”

“Coming towards spring, I kind of headed out west right when the training camp opened at the start of May,” said Ellison. “We had about a month to prepare for when we started doing selection against a bunch of other athletes from across Canada.”

In terms of mental preparation, new people and connect with his future teammates.“I’m hungry,” he said. “I’ve already lived far away from home and had to make new friends.

And I already know a few guys on the team next year, a few people going to Queens, I don’t think the social aspect will be

Celia said it’s important to start cool, calm, and collected.

“After a race we [say]: light, loose, and lit,” he said.

Both athletes shared what they are most looking forward to before the race.

“My thing I want to get the most out of this is to go fast with a bunch of my best friends,” Ellison said. “Rowing on these teams is a unique experience because [I had] to come together with a bunch of people I didn’t know that well beforehand, and figure out what makes you go fast.”

For those wanting to get involved in the excitement of rowing, Ellison mentioned novice programs provide participants with the chance to train with the team and race at the end of the season.

“It’s never too late to join and it’s a late entry sport,” she said. “I’d encourage anyone who’s ever thought about rowing to give it a try.” too difficult .”

Celia encouraged hopeful future rowers.

“Just give it the best you can on that day, each day give 100 per cent of what you can, and you will succeed,” said Celia.

Cap and the rest of the Gaels Men’s Hockey team will face off against the UOttawa GeeGees on Oct. 13 in their home opener.