Aston, PA – On Thursday September 7, 2017 Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL Head Coach & General Manager George Lewis, announced that Forward Joey Savel (Sterling Heights, MI)  and Defenseman Trevor Lewandoski (Newbury, OH) have been named Co-Captains for the 2017-18 Eastern Hockey League season.  The Little Flyers have won three straight EHL Regular Season Championships and are coming off two straight trips to the EHL Finals.  With only five returning players from last season, Savel and Lewandoski will be relied on heavily in the locker room and on the ice to lead the Little Flyers back to the playoffs.  “Selecting a captain has been something I’ve been thinking about since I got the head coaching job here a few months ago.  I’ve talked with Coach Russo, Coach Catron and Coach Narrigan as well as some veterans from last year’s team about this decision.  Ultimately in the back of my mind I’ve known that Trevor would be one of our captains since last season ended and I’ve watched Joey mature over the course of last season and through the summer.  I know that both Trevor and Joey will do a great job for us and be the kind of leaders we look for here” said Little Flyers first year head coach George Lewis upon naming Lewandoski and Savel captains.

                Trevor Lewandoski, a 5’9” 1997 birth year defenseman from Newbury, OH enters his third full season with the Little Flyers organization.  After appearing in 23 total games during the 2015-16 campaign, Lewandoski assumed a bigger role with the team last season.  During the 2016-17 season, Lewandoski played in 45 regular season games and 12 playoff games, scoring two goals and adding 7 assists in 57 total games last season.  “Lewy is a third year player for our team and he is an unbelievable character guy.  He’s the hardest working guy we have, he’s the first guy here and last one to leave.  Whether its in the gym or on the ice Lewy is always trying to get better.  I’m really proud of the way he has grown and matured in his time here, He’s certainly ready for this leadership role” said Little Flyers Head Coach George Lewis.  Lewandoski’s 45 regular season games played last year was the most by a Little Flyers defenseman.  “This is a great honor for me.  The experience of going to two straight EHL Finals with the Little Flyers has humbled me and provided me with a lot of experience that I am now able to pass along to our younger guys.  As a captain of this team I am going to do my best to make sure we do what it takes to get back to the finals again” said Lewandoski after being named Captain. 

                Joey Savel, a 6ft 1997 birth year forward from Sterling Heights, MI enters his second season with the Little Flyers organization.  Savel’s rookie year in the EHL was very impressive, appearing in 47 regular season games, Savel scored 46 points (14 Goals, 32 Assists).  Savel was almost unstoppable in the playoffs, scoring 19 points (2 Goals, 17 Assists) in 12 games.  “Joey has grown a lot in the past year that I’ve been around him” said Little Flyers Head Coach George Lewis.  He continued “Last year Joey came in as a kid out of youth hockey, the ability has always been there for him and he has matured a lot.  Over the summer he made the decision to come back to Philadelphia and that was a telling sign that he is here for a reason.  He’s been a leader since the guys all got here two weeks ago.  He’s been pushing everyone to get better every day” concluded Lewis.  Savel’s 65 point total from last season was second on the team behind one of last season’s captains, Peter Hatton.  “Being named captain of this team means a lot to me.  The Little Flyers are a great organization and there are a lot of guys in our locker room that Coach Lewis could have picked as a captain.  Having him trust me in this position means a lot to me.  My goal is to come in every day and be the best I can be both on and off the ice and try to lead this team back to the EHL Finals” said Savel.                   

                Coming off of a two week training camp, the Little Flyers captains like what they have seen so far from their team “We have a really hard working group of guys here.  There is no quit in that locker room, we’ve had two good weeks so far, all of the boys are battling hard every day in all that we do” said Joey Savel.  While Savel likes the physical toughness he’s seen so far, Lewandoski, the third year veteran likes the mental toughness as well  “You can’t just be physically tough in this league, you have to have in mentally as well.  Camp can be tough but we want the best out of guys and I think we got that so far.  There is going to be some adversity throughout the season and in the playoffs that every team will face and I think our guys will be ready for that” said Lewandoski. 

                The three time EHL Regular Season champs will waste no time getting the season started, as they will play in the leagues opening contest of the season this Saturday as they host the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Knights on home ice at IceWorks Skating Complex.  Game time is scheduled for 4:15PM, admission is FREE to all Little Flyers EHL home games.