Ian Engel Leads Bobcats Into Home Opener

BY: Kieran Lang, Bobcat Content Writer

BISMARCK, ND – The Bismarck Bobcats have a new captain this year, as third year defenseman Ian Engel will enter his first year as the leader of the team. When asked what it means to be the captain of the Bobcats, Engel spoke highly of the opportunity. “It’s obviously an honor, something not everyone gets to do, definitely a privilege. So something I definitely take pride in and look to be the best I can at it.” Engel is extremely familiar with the Bobcats organization, and he knows what it is like to play in the NAHL, making him an ideal captain.

On top of leading the team on the ice, Engel also knows how much life away from the rink matters. “I mean, obviously we’re playing hockey every day together, but so I think it’s super important to check in on guys and see how they’re doing outside of hockey, like how their billet life is, how their billet house, if they’re getting along with their family. Because, I mean, that’s a huge part of it. So just being comfortable there and just checking in on them on a personal level, is definitely really important to me.”

Engel spoke very highly on the goaltending duo that is lighting the NAHL on fire to start the season. “It’s definitely just a weight off your back knowing that they’re always going to be there for you, and they’re the last line of defense, and they’re the best line of defense for that reason.” Tomas Anderson and Kai Weigel have made life easy for their teammates, and Ian Engel made sure that he shouted them out.

Engel is excited about this season and this roster, he was asked what he wants everyone to know about the 2024-2025 Bobcats, “We’re going to have a lot of high flying energy, a lot of skill, a lot of flash, but we also have some grit and some hard players, some people who can lay the body.” The Bobcats have shown that early in this season, and look to keep it going throughout the rest of the year.