Opening night of the 2014-15 Elmira Jackals season was extra special for St. Albert, Alberta native, Matt Tassone.  He donned the “C” on his Jackals jersey for the first time, serving as an exemplary leader for his teammates. Being the captain of a hockey club is seen as a great honor and one that involves providing leadership and guidance to teammates both on and off the ice.

“There aren’t many captains in pro hockey.  It really is a great honour.  You are respected by your coaching staff and your teammates, but you definitely have to earn that respect,” explained Tassone.

When asked if he feels any added pressure as captain, Tassone added, “It’s a good feeling knowing that guys look up to you and look to you to get everything going on the ice.  It can be stressful at times but I definitely enjoy it.  It’s a great honour wearing that “C” on your chest and you don’t want to let anyone down when you go out there and play.  It’s a big responsibility but I’m up to the challenge.”

Tassone welcomed the responsibility and used it as motivation to give his very best every night for the Jackals.  In 29 ECHL games last season he tallied 28 points, nearly a point per game pace.

A sixth round draft pick of the Dallas Stars in 2008, Tassone prides himself on being an all-around player who can provide a spark in both ends of the ice. “On the ice I like to take charge and lead by example. If that’s me going out to score, to fight, or to provide a big penalty kill, I’ll do it,” he says.

To earn respect and develop a quality reputation in hockey requires a consistent approach in dealing with people.  He has always wanted his coaches and teammates to look at him as an approachable guy at all times. “I’ve always played the same way and I’ve always acted the same way. Definitely when I was a rookie I was quieter and tried to learn from the older guys, but going from team to team and meeting so many different people taught me to read people well. I have learned to talk and connect with different types of people. I believe getting to know people and having relationships with each individual player helps mold your style of leadership.”

One player Tassone has looked up to since his first professional season is former Idaho Steelheads captain, Marty Flichel.  Flichel served as the Steelheads’ Professional Hockey Players’ Association Player Representative and was a longstanding vocal member of the elected PHPA Executive Committee.  “He was my first captain in pro hockey and I just looked up to him. Everybody loved him, the way he presented himself, the way he was on and off the ice, he was just an awesome person and you could talk to him about anything.” Most people have a role model in life and Tassone credits Flichel for “teaching him the ways” in regards to becoming a professional and fulfilling his own potential as a leader.

Fellow St. Albert native, Jarome Iginla, is another individual Tassone has modeled his game after. “I have so much respect for him.  He can fight anybody in the league and he’s a warrior, but he’s also a skill guy and can put the puck in the net. I look up to guys like Jarome, he can do it all and at such a high level, it’s incredible.”

Tassone’s will was put to the test during the 2012-13 season. With the NHL lockout in effect to start the season, players on entry level NHL contracts could be permissibly assigned to the American Hockey League, causing a domino effect on roster spots across the professional hockey ranks and beyond.

Tassone likely set some sort of unofficial professional hockey record where during that season, he played for an outrageous four different professional teams (Wichita Thunder, Arizona Sundogs, Elmira Jackals, and Lake Erie Monsters) in three different professional leagues (Central Hockey League, ECHL, AHL). 

At least Tassone was able to learn from the experience, including a number of veteran players.

“A lot of guys were shuffled around that year.  Some even went to play in Europe.   That year I put a lot of miles on my vehicle. It was one of those things where I kept moving around depending on how teams were doing.”

It was his desire to keep playing that caused the amount of movement, but all Tassone had on his mind was becoming a better hockey player. “Definitely as a hockey player you always want to move up, challenge yourself, and push yourself. This year I want to stick in a place and do well. Last year, I took a lot away from the two teams I was with in the AHL.  Gathering all that experience and knowing what I have to do to stay at that level was great. I hope to use it to my advantage going into this year.”

Off the ice, Tassone takes part in various community initiatives and loves showing fans his appreciation. Elmira head coach Jamie Russell terms Tassone, “a terrific ambassador of the Jackals organization in the community.”

Whether he stays with the Jackals or gets another opportunity in the American Hockey League, Tassone recognizes the importance of giving back to the fans that support him and his teammates.

“A huge thing, especially in minor league sports is getting out and becoming involved in the community.  In Elmira when I started out we didn’t have a huge number of fans. I wanted to take it under my wing and meet people, give them tickets, and by the end of the year the whole team was involved in community initiatives which was awesome.”

In the midst of his off-season training, this past June Tassone took a brief time away to attend the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives, where he represented the Jackals. “Seeing as it was my first year at the meetings, I tried to listen and understand what some of the issues were all about. There were a lot of older players and PHPA staff and executives who have been around for a long time. I enjoyed learning more about what the PHPA does and how they work to advance players’ rights. Without a union, I don’t know what players would do. I learned a lot and I am excited to hopefully get back there next year and offer my input a little bit more.”

Tassone looks to continue learning and developing as a professional hockey player both on and off the ice, hopefully bringing his leadership capabilities to the proverbial next level.

Follow Brendan Connolly on Twitter @BConnolly_