Sioux Falls, S.D. - The Sioux Falls Stampede have named their 2024-2025 leadership group. The team will have one captain, Brock James, and four alternates, John McNelis, Joe Belisle, Bryce Ingles, and Austin Baker. 

Captain Brock James is a Falmouth, M.E. native who intends to play Division I college hockey at the University of Maine. The 20-year-old has two seasons of junior hockey experience, playing both in the United States Hockey League and the North American Hockey League (NAHL). In 2023-2024, he played for the Lone Star Brahmas. In 54 games, the forward scored 22 goals and 34 assists for a total of 56 points. During the team's championship playoff run, James scored 14 points in 11 games. In his time with the Brahmas, James served as an alternate captain. 

The four alternate captains include two forwards and two defensemen. The first of two forwards is returner John McNelis. The Potomac, M.D. native returns to Sioux Falls after scoring 38 points in 62 games with the Herd last season. The 18-year-old is committed to playing college hockey at the University of Boston. 

The final forward in this leadership group is newcomer Austin Baker. Baker comes to the Stampede after two years of playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program. The White Lake, M.I., native was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is a Michigan State University commit. In 59 name games with the U.S. National Team,  Baker scored 31 points in 59 games. Last season, the NTDP U18s played 25 USHL games. In those games, Baker recorded 10 goals and 4 assists. 

Defensemen Joe Belisle will be an alternate captain in his second season with the Stampede. The Minnesota native came to Sioux Falls after playing high school hockey for White Bear Lake High. In his first season with the Herd, he earned 11 points in 56 games and was among the top defensemen with a +10 plus/minus. The St. Cloud State commit also avoided the penalty box with only 6 penalty minutes all season. 

Finally, Bryce Ingles will play his first USHL games as an alternate captain for the Herd. The 19-year-old played alongside Captain Brock James last season with the Lone Star Brahmas. The defenseman had 38 points in 57 games and ended the season with a +44 plus/minus.  

The group will lead the team at home for the first time on Saturday, October 5th, for the Home Opener. The night will kick off with a pre-game tailgate party. The party will continue with a replica jersey giveaway for the first 1,000 kids through the door. Concourse activities, for the night, include Tickets for the Home Opener can be purchased by calling the Stampede office or clicking here.