AMHERST, N.S. – Third-year Ramblers player Caleb Rich will lead the Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers through the 2019-2020 season.
“Last year I got a taste of being one of the top guys and this year I hope to carry that forward and lead the team to a good year,” the 20-year-old said.
The Ramblers home-game captaincy was bestowed upon Rich by Ramblers coach Doug Doull, along with Ramblers players and staff.
“I watched him for a couple of years as an opposing coach and liked his compete-level and the fact he was an on-ice leader in terms of production,” Doull, who after four years coaching the Pictou County Weeks Crushers made the move to Amherst at the begging of this season, said.
Watching Rich at training camp, along with start-of-the-season games, left an impression on Doull.
“I could see that his well-rounded approach on the ice during games, during practice, as well as in the dressing room was something his peers acknowledged,” Doull said. “So making him the captain was a decision we made hoping he’ll continue with that kind of leadership.”
This year’s team is younger than last year’s, and Rich says he’s looking forward to leading a younger squad.
“At last season’s Fred Page we kind of loaded up with some older players. This year we have a lot more first-year guys and young guys who are eager to get going and get their feet wet,” Rich said. “So, although we don’t have as much experience, we’ll work towards getting better every day and getting better as the year goes on.”
Rich says the C comes with a big responsibility to the Ramblers organization.
“You feel responsible for the team’s success and want to make sure everybody is motivated and playing their game,” Rich said. “Everyone has to do their part and, hopefully, we can help everyone be the best they can be.”
Rich started playing hockey in Amherst at the beginning of the 2017-2018 season after playing with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.
“I was in Halifax and I had the choice to either go back home and play junior A hockey or get traded out here,” Rich said. “At that time my heart was, and still is, in the Maritimes, so I asked my junior A team back home to trade for me, not really knowing anything about the MHL.”
The Ramblers wanted Rich and Rich wanted to play for the Ramblers.
“Amherst was the first team to get a trade together to get my rights and I did some research and liked what I saw, so I said yes and came here. The rest is history.”
The laid-back atmosphere of the Maritimes took some time for Rich to get used to.
“When I first came out here it was a bit of a culture shock. It’s a different way of life. It’s more relaxed and easygoing. The people out here are so nice, it’s hard not to like the Maritimes.”
Rich is from Callander, Ont., which sits on the eastern edge of Lake Nipissing, just south of North Bay.
“I go home to Callander in the summer. It’s good to get back with family and train and get ready for a new season.”
Robbie Burt, a familiar face from Ontario, joined the Ramblers at the start of this season.
Burt, the Ramblers on-the-road captain, is from Hillsburgh, Ont., and Rich and Burt grew up playing hockey against each other.
“It’s funny how things work out. I never thought about Robbie for a while and then I heard we traded for him,” Rich said. “It’s really exciting to have him here, especially with his play and his experience. It’s definitely nice to have somebody like that on the team.”
While not playing hockey, Rich studies business at Mount Allison University. He says the Ramblers are looking forward to a successful season.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people and have a really good year."
