Joel Woznikoski is loved and hated. It just depends who you ask.

Loved by his teammates, coaches and Westside Warriors fans because he’ll do anything to help the team.

Hated by opposing teams and fans for his in-your-face style.

But get to know him and you find an engaging, humourous and seemingly multi-dimensional young man, someone who was a natural choice to lead this year’s version of the Warriors.

On the ice, he’s tough to play against, a big defenceman who’s not afraid to plaster an opponent against the boards any chance he gets.

Off the ice, he can talk with ease about firefighting (his dad was a fire chief), his future in hockey or about what he learned from other leaders that will help him with captaincy duties this season.

“I just want to be a real good role model every day,” said Woznikoski. “I could kind of get away with things in years past. It’s about always showing up on time, always being ready for practice.”

It’s not like Woznikoski was a shrinking violet before he was named captain.

“I’ve always been the outspoken one around the dressing room, so in that sense I don’t think anything changes,” he said with a chuckle. “But, as a 20-year-old, all the old guys who were around in years past—our older guys now have to take their place.”

It’s also about encouraging the younger guys. Woznikoski was truly excited 15-year-old Colton Sissons got his first BCHL goal during the season-opening road trip to northern B.C.

What was Woznikoski doing when he was 15? Well, playing major midget minor hockey for the Southeast Hawks on the Lower Mainland. When he was 16, he played a few games for the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers before settling in for the season with the junior B Richmond Sockeyes.

He also has WHL experience with the Tri-City Americans, which gives him scholarship money for a Canadian university but makes him ineligible for any NCAA scholarships.

Woznikoski describes himself as a “defensive defenceman.” He’s often paired with fellow veteran Brendan Ellis.

Ellis, who’s always had a huge offensive upside, has improved his defensive play and Woznikoski is beginning to chip on the score sheet. It’s a pairing with a lot of balance, but Woznikoski still relishes what he believes is his true role.

“For me, it’s all about shutting down (the opponent’s) top line,” he says. “I take a lot of pride in that.”

This past off-season, Woznikoski stayed in the Okanagan and worked at 19 Greens, a putting course near the Bennett Bridge that crosses Okanagan Lake. Gone are the days where hockey players just play golf and enjoy beverages in the off-season.

“I got a lot of sun this summer, working outside,” said Woznikoski, who is listed at six-foot-five, 197 pounds. “And I went to the gym every day after work.”

The Warriors play Quesnel today (Sunday) at Royal LePage Place, 2:30 p.m.