Sometimes leaders develop naturally. Some people just have a knack to be a leader. Charlie Pens Jr. of the Delaware Thunder is that type of person, “Leadership abilities are more natural for me,” Pens Jr. said to me following the game last night, “I constantly am looking out for the younger guys, it’s more of an older brother role I like to play. I am older and it’s good to correlate my thoughts to them because I’ve been there.”

A new hockey team in the small town of slower-lower Delaware, in Harrington, was founded by Charlie’s dad, Charlie Pens Sr. Talk about pressure, playing for one of your loved ones that just so happens to be the Head Coach of the team, as well. However, Charlie Pens Jr. is very grateful for his family, and realizes he wouldn’t be in this position without them, “Getting up early Sunday mornings, traveling, spending their hard earned money to come to my games for support. It has changed me, and molded me into who I am today,”  Pens Jr. says.

Pens Jr. has really matured into a solid, reliable defenceman for the Thunder. As team Captain, he has been instrumental in the Thunder’s own zone, but Pens Jr. just so happens to be a great Penalty Killer, as well, to which his team really feeds off this success, “Honestly, it’s about hard-work and determination. I learned that from my family. It’s really nice to see them at the games now and days.”

The 31-year-old reliable defenceman in Pens Jr. won’t kill you with his offensive stats (2g,8a) in 28 games played, not too shabby, but he’s gosh darn good defensively, to include sticking up for his teammates. Pens Jr. sustained a broken nose earlier this season, while sticking up for one of his teammates. He’s a team first guy, who leads by example, “Growing up around my Grandfather… instilling hard-work in everything you do that was his mantra. If you’re dumb, you better be tough, he always told me, and hard-work will overcome all.”

Pens Jr. has really developed into a fine blue liner for the Thunder. More than likely he would thank his family for that. His caring attitude has won over his teammates, and really has made this a fun team to watch.