The Elmira Aviators have named their first captains in team history.
Syracuse native Andrew DellaDonna will wear the “C” as team captain. DellaDonna was brought over in a trade with the Northeast generals and has been flying since arriving in Elmira.
In his 8 games played with the Aviators, DellaDonna has 6 goals and 2 assists. He leads the team in total goals (7) and points (14).
DellaDonna and the rest of the captains were voted on by their teammates and the Aviators’ leaders are not taking that honor lightly.
“It means everything to have the support from your teammates, to have the support from your coaches,” DellaDonna said. “To know that you’re going to be leaned on for leadership, looked at for advice it just means everything, because I’ve been through it all.”
DellaDonna has played in 162 games and is now in his fourth season in the NAHL. He has more experience than any of his teammates by a wide margin.
He cannot wait to take on the mantle as the first captain in Aviators’ history leading the way both vocally and by his actions on and off the ice.
“I’m definitely most excited for being the voice of the guys,” DellaDonna said. “Like if you guys need any help, I’ll be the guy to go out and push for your advice, push for anything you want. Just being some guy, like being the backbone, being a guy that people can rely on.”
DellaDonna added that the opportunity was special to him and that he hopes to make the most of it.
The Aviators will have 3 alternate captains wearing the “A” on their sweaters. Those players are Charlie Fink, Sean Williams and Ben Costantino.
Fink hails from Toronto, Ontario, and has been a spark plug for the Aviators. He had the first fight in the team’s history but knows how to score, too. Fink has 3 goals and 5 assists on the season.
He’s got a big heart and a bold personality and had an interesting analogy for what the “A” stands for in relation to the “C”.
“We talk about this team being a family,” Fink said. “And if you’re going to put it metaphorically like maybe your captain’s your dad, but maybe the assistants are like your aunts and uncles that are also there for you when you need to talk to someone.”
Like DellaDonna, Fink is extremely honored to be selected as a leader by his peers.
“To have just a letter at all from the guys is the biggest vote of confidence to know that they got your back and they see you that way, they see you as the cool uncle that they can go and talk to, it means a lot,” Fink said.
Fink hopes that he and his fellow captains can lead the way to the Aviators going on a hot streak starting with this upcoming weekend.
Sean Williams, also from Toronto, possesses a wicked wrist shot. He has 5 goals and 5 assists so far this year. Williams is committed to play Division 1 college hockey at Robert Morris University.
Ben Costantino was the first draft choice in Aviator history. The St. Albert, Alberta-born defenseman was selected 2nd overall in the NAHL draft in June. Costantino leads the entire NAHL in goals scored by a defenseman with 6 and leads his team in power-play goals with 4.
The Aviators are back in action on Friday and Saturday against the defending East Division Champion Maryland Black Bears. Friday, Nov. 1 is Military Appreciation Night.
Veterans, active military and their immediate families will be granted free admittance into Friday’s contest. Both games’ puck drops are slated for 7 p.m.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].