Date Published: 11-3-2022
Photo Credit: Watertown Wolves
Sometimes leaders develop naturally. Some people just have a knack to be a leader. Charlie Pens Jr., formerly of the Delaware Thunder is that type of person, “Leadership abilities are more natural for me,” Pens Jr. said to me following a game in 2020, “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., now plays for the Watertown Wolves, and he set to return for a weekend set this weekend. It will be a home coming of sorts for the Delaware native.
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The reunion for Pens Jr. will begin Friday night for a tilt against the Thunder at 730pm, then on Saturday at 7pm. As usual the Thunderdome will be loud and boisterous, but Pens Jr. will receive a standing ovation from the Thunder faithful. Pens Jr. was a fan favorite during his tenure with the Thunder.
Pens Jr. has really matured into a solid, reliable defenceman for the Wolves. He has been instrumental in the Wolves 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. Pens Jr. sticks up for his teammates as he has served 33 penalty minutes this year, and at least four of them have been majors for fighting.
The 34-year-old reliable defenceman in Pens Jr. won’t kill you with his offensive stats (0G,0a) in four games played, but he’s gosh darn good defensively, to include sticking up for his teammates. Pens Jr. sustained a broken nose while sticking up for one of his teammates during the inaugural season of the Thunder. 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. told me in 2020.
Pens Jr. has really developed into a fine blue liner for the Wolves, and for his efforts he’s a plus two on the year. More than likely he would thank his family for that. His caring attitude has won over his teammates, and really has made the Wolves a fun team to watch.
