The Cleveland Monsters new season brings a brand new leadership group.
The Cleveland Monsters head coach John Madden recently named former NHL regular Nathan Gerbe as captain of the hockey club prior to their first game against Rockford on Friday night. A former Columbus Blue Jacket, Zac Dalpe was wearing an alternate captain’s patch as was newcomer and former Providence Bruins captain Tommy Cross.
The captaincy had been vacant following Ryan Craig‘s retirement to become a coach with the Vegas Golden Knights organization in June 2017. Gerbe is a great fit for captain as a former regular with the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes from 2008 to 2016 allows him to bring an abundance of NHL experience to help young players reach their potential.
Gerbe may not be a long term option for captain, however it’s rare for that to happen at the AHL level regardless.
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Zac Dalpe has spent a career as a borderline NHL player and that trend will likely continue at some point this season. He joined the Blue Jackets organization in February 2017 and has split time between the NHL team and the Cleveland Monsters ever since.
Last year with the Monsters, Dalpe posted a total of 26 points in 35 games while going pointless in 12 games at the NHL level with the Blue Jackets.
Tommy Cross is the newest member of the Cleveland Monsters who signed a one year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets over the off-season. The 29-year old is a former second round draft pick by the Boston Bruins who was never quite able to earn a spot at the NHL level, however he does have three games of NHL experience.
Last season as Providence Bruins captain, Cross put up a total of 36 points in 73 games as well as 83 penalty minutes on the blue line. Cross not only was captain of the Providence Bruins in the past, but he’s also a former captain of the Boston College Eagles.
The 2018-2019 version of the Cleveland Monsters should be much improved. This leadership team will be a crutial component for them turning it around this season.