Troy Maclise (left) and Aaron Azevedo are thrilled to have been named co-captains of the Osoyoos Coyotes for the 2014-15 KIJHL season. While very good friends on and off the ice, Maclise and Azevedo couldn’t be more different as Maclise is Canadian, while Azevedo is American. Maclise is small and fast, while Azevedo is big and strong. Maclise leads by example, while Azevedo is the team’s vocal leader. (Keith Lacey photo)
Troy Maclise and Aaron Azevedo are complete opposites in many ways, which is more than ironic considering they have been named co-captains of the Osoyoos Coyotes hockey club.
Head coach and general manager Ken Law decided to go with two captains – Maclise will wear the ‘C’ on the road, while Azevedo will wear it during home games – after he did the same thing when the Coyotes won the league championship four years ago.
Maclise is from small-town Alberta, while Azevedo is an American who was born and raised in Spokane, Wash., and spent two years playing hockey in Minnesota.
Maclise is generously listed at five-foot-ten and 160 pounds, while Azevedo is a big boy standing six-feet and weighing a solid 200 pounds.
Maclise admits he’s not one to say much in the dressing room and prefers to show off his leadership skills by showcasing his tremendous speed and giving 100 per cent effort every single shift.
Azevedo is much more vocal with his teammates and uses his communication skills and sense of humour to communicate with his teammates.
What they do share is a passion for hockey and commitment to trying to make their final year in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) one to remember for the rest of their lives.
They are also very good friends on and off the ice, despite their many differences as hockey players.
Maclise, 20, who grew up in the small Alberta town of Lacombe, is completing his third and final season with the Coyotes.
He’s one of the fastest skaters in the entire KIJHL and is hoping to improve on last year’s statistics when he potted 24 goals and 34 assists in 51 regular season games.
Azevedo was one of the league’s top rookies last season as he scored 25 goals and added 42 assists while playing in all 52 regular season games.
Maclise was visiting family friends in Penticton and their son, Jordan Simpson, was playing for the Coyotes.
He attended a spring tryout camp and caught Law’s eye with his great offensive talent. Law talked him into trying out for the club in training camp.
Maclise took him up on the offer and has been a member of the Coyotes ever since.
While slight in stature, Maclise said he has always tried to be a leader on every team he has played on since his minor hockey days.
He uses his amazing speed and offensive skills to try and intimidate opposing players.
“Speed has always been my game and always will be because I’m not the biggest guy,” he said. “I was really small growing up so I had to use my speed to compete.”
When asked by Law to become a co-captain, Maclise said he was honoured.
“I was honoured and thrilled,” said Maclise. “I’m especially happy to be sharing the captaincy with Aaron because we’ve become really good friends on and off the ice.
“I think it will work really well because I’m not the most vocal guy in the room, but I try to lead by example on the ice, while Aaron is a lot more vocal and knows how to motivate the guys and bring us together.”
Azevedo also attended a spring camp with the Coyotes a couple of years ago. After failing to earn a spot with Victoria in the BCHL, he accepted an offer by Law to play for the Coyotes.
He has loved every minute of it.
“The town is beautiful and we get great fan support so I couldn’t ask for much more,” he said.
Azevedo agrees he’s much more vocal than Maclise, but says their different styles work well as co-captains.
“Troy is an incredible player and he leads by example and shows all the guys what hard work is all about,” he said. “He’s probably the fastest guy in the league and I love playing on the same line as him and I just give him the puck and watch him go wide and score goals.”
Azevedo, who finished second in team scoring behind last year’s captain Colin Chmelka, is second on the team early this season with three goals and 16 assists in 14 games.
Maclise is tied for third in team scoring with eight goals and nine assists in 13 games, which ties him in points with rookie Ryan Roseboom.
Rainer Glimpel leads the Coyotes in scoring so far this season with eight goals and 15 assists in 14 games.
Azevedo and Maclise believe this year’s team is special and capable of winning the KIJHL championship after coming close last year and losing in the league semifinals to Kamloops.
After 14 games, the Coyotes have 12 wins and two losses making them the top team in the league.
“We definitely have the team capable of winning it all,” said Azevedo. “We’re a very tight group on and off the ice and all the guys really get along and we know we have a lot of talent, so it’s just a matter of working as a team and continuing to improve.
“I have no doubt we have the talent, the size and toughness you need to win a championship.”
Maclise agrees.
“We’ve had really good teams the last two years and made the semifinals both years, but this team is even better,” he said. “We have 10 guys back from last year who can provide the leadership and a great crop of young guys with a lot of talent.
“This is my last chance at a championship and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we take that one big step and make the finals and win it all.”
Law said having two captains has worked well in the past and will again this season.
“Troy leads by example and makes a great impression on the young guys by how hard he works,” he said. “Aaron communicates very well and is always upbeat and positive and always makes sure every guy on the team is included in everything we do as a team.
“They are good friends and work well together. I had co-captains five years ago when we won the league championship and hopefully we’ll have the same result with these two guys leading the way.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
Troy Maclise of the Osoyoos Coyotes does some ice surfing after a play in front of the Princeton net in a league game at the Oliver Arena last Sunday. The Coyotes exploded in the third period to defeat the rival Posse 6-2. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
