Topping Named Americans' Team Captain For 2013-14 Season

Press Release

KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-City Americans’ Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that 20-year-old defenseman Mitch Topping will serve as the team’s captain for the upcoming 2013-14 season.  The announcement came less than a week after the Americans’ 2012-13 season came to an end.  Topping becomes the 25th captain in the franchise’s history.

Topping, who just concluded his fourth full WHL season and second with the Americans, is coming off a career-best 2012-13 campaign, recording new highs in goals (13), assists (26) and points (39).  In 267 career games, split between Chilliwack and Tri-City, the Red Deer, Alberta-native has registered 26 goals and 89 points.

Originally drafted by the then-Chilliwack Bruins in the 1st Round (8th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Topping was later traded to Tri-City in August of 2011.  Topping played his first full WHL season in 2009-10, making his WHL debut as a member of the Bruins on October 17, 2008 at Medicine Hat.  Topping becomes the first defenseman to be named captain of the Americans since Jarrett Toll (2009-10) and just the third over the last 14 seasons, joining T.J. Fast (2007-08).

“This is such a huge honor.  Looking at the guys who have captained this team before me…it’s an impressive list of guys and players in general,” stated Topping.  “Following (Justin) Feser won’t be easy, and I’ll have some big shoes to fill, but I look forward to the challenge and to having a great season next year.”

“Mitch sets the tone in the dressing room with his positive attitude and respect for all our players and organization,” explained Tory.  “What he has done in the community since arriving here is above and beyond what anyone would have expected.  He is first and foremost a quality person, with the integrity necessary to lead our team…Mitch brings everything that is expected of a captain.”

“Mitch has been a key contributor for the past couple of seasons,” Head Coach Jim Hiller said. “He has clearly earned the respect of his teammates and is very deserving of this honor.” 

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)