UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Utica Comets Head Coach Kevin Dineen spoke to the media for the first time this season on Thursday morning, he was then followed by 2022 NHL Entry Draft number two overall selection imon Nemec, who had his first day of practice with the AHL squad after being sent down on Wednesday in exchange for fellow defenseman Kevin Bahl.

In his availability, Coach Dineen named his Captains for the upcoming season, Ryan Schmelzer will wear the C for the second consecutive year while Robbie Russo, Joe Gambardella, and Tyler Wotherspoon will be the Alternates. He also revealed that Akira Schmid will be the teams opening night starter, but that going into every game he is confident in his netminder pairing which includes Schmid and Nico Daws.

From @UticaComets Head Coach Kevin Dineen this morning:

Ryan Schmelzer will return as our Captain, Joe Gambardella, Robbie Russo and Tyler Wotherspoon will be our leadership group.

He added, I think we have players that are much more vocal that Ryan, infectious in the way they are around the locker room, but we feel that Ryan represents how we conduct ourselves on and off the ice. I think he plays with heart and passion on a nightly basis, hes a gamer.

Nemec took to the stand next, answering questions for the first time as a Comet. He started by giving the media a pronunciation of his name (Shee-mone Nyee-mits), followed that with some elaboration about the differences between the European and North American games, mainly rink size and physicality, and said that hes heard about the passion of Comets fans already before rounding out his availability with a vote of confidence, I know [the] players I know [the] coaches, I know all the staff, I think it will be good.

Read more from the original source:

Kevin Dineen and imon Nemec on Uticas team strengths prior to season-opener Saturday - WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com