Calgary Flames prospect Samuel Honzek named captain of the Vancouver Giants

In an announcement that was delayed by a couple months due to injury, the Vancouver Giants announced on Thursday that Calgary Flames prospect Samuel Honzek will be their captain for the 2023-24 season.

The 19-year-old Honzek was the Flames’ first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft. A product of Trencin, Slovakia, Honzek joined the Giants last season after being selected in the Canadian Hockey League’s import draft.

In his first season in North America, Honzek was excellent and progressed quite a bit when he was healthy. He had 23 goals and 56 points in 43 games, but he missed a bunch of time after suffering a skate laceration during the early portion of the World Juniors, where he represented Slovakia. He returned in time for the stretch drive and was one of the Giants’ most impactful playoffs during the later stages of their season.

Honzek is joined in Vancouver’s leadership group by fellow 2023 draft choice (and Flames prospect) Jaden Lipinski, who will serve as an alternate captain along with Ty Halaburda, Mazden Leslie and Logan Hammett.

Honzek’s coronation as Giants captain was delayed due to a lower body injury suffered at the end of the Flames’ pre-season. He’s expected to play his first game of the 2023-24 season on Friday night when the Giants host the Kelowna Rockets, and then he disappears again on Dec. 10 to join Slovakia’s national junior team as they prepare for the World Juniors at the end of the month.