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“But there are 10 guys you can give the ‘C’ to, great role models on the team and in the community. No matter what happens we’ll be in it together. I’m sick of losing and I want us to be in playoff contention.”

That almost sounds like he expects the club to go without a captain and appoint three alternates. That would provide insulation because a young captain could be constantly beat down in tedious post-game scrums to rationalize loss after loss.

However, dig deeper and Bo finds a way to drive home his point of wanting to be the emotional and skilled engine to drive it all.

“It (captaincy) is important, but it’s not everything,” added Bo. “Eventually, it is important for somebody to take the reins and be the guy that everybody looks up to. It’s waiting for that one guy to separate himself from the pack and be the guy players go to in times of crisis. And when things are going well, who’s leading the charge?

“The Sedins handled it with the utmost class. Some games, you play so bad, you just want to walk out and go home, but they stick around. It was pretty impressive to watch. It all comes back to respect.”

Part of that respect is the work any player is willing to do in the off-season.

Bo is down to 214 pounds from his customary 222 to gain quickness, but that was only part of the focus. He has never had a problem getting to the net, but improving on a 13.9 per cent shooting efficiency means having more than one move on those bull-rushes.

“I skated him the last three weeks and he really worked on his hands,” added Tim. “When he comes in on the goalie, maybe do some more head fakes because when you watch Bo on breakaways, he always goes stick side.