Bennett tabbed to wear 'C' for Wolverines

Michigan Press Release

Michigan recently announced that senior-to-be defenseman Mac Bennett was selected captain for the 2013-14 Wolverines, while senior-to-be forward Derek DeBlois and sophomore-to-be forward Andrew Copp were named alternate captains by a vote of their teammates.

Bennett, an alternate captain on this past season's U-M team, will be the 84th captain in the history of the Wolverine hockey squad.

 "If you want a player who can move the puck out of your zone quickly, he's the guy," said Michigan coach Red Berenson. "When he first arrived here, he wasn't in the lineup for every game, but he worked hard. He's putting in extra hours watching video and spending time on the ice. He's one of those kids who takes advantage of being able to play college hockey - he gets it."

From his blue line position this past season, Bennett produced 18 points (6g, 12a), good for 10th place on the team, while playing only 32 of 40 games for U-M. In his 140 career games, he has accumulated 51 points (12g, 39a).

A sprained knee against Bowling Green on Jan. 8 sidelined Bennett for one month. He was not able to get back into the lineup until Feb. 8 at Notre Dame. During that weekend series, he recorded one goal and one assist. Upon his return, the Wolverines finished the season with an 8-3-1 record. Bennett was one of four U-M players who received a CCHA weekly honor during the season. He was named CCHA Defenseman of the Week for the week ending Nov. 4 after earning four points in two games at Northern Michigan. He had two points (1g, 1a) on Friday and tallied two points (1g, 1a) again during the Saturday game.

DeBlois was ninth on the team in scoring with 20 points (11g, 9a) and led the team in shorthanded goals with three, while Copp was seventh in scoring with 21 points (11g, 10a) and second in shorthanded goals behind DeBlois with two.

Both DeBlois and Copp ended the season with plus-4 plus-minus ratings, good for a second-place tie in that team category.

Photo/UM Photo Services

Lynch added as alternate captain for Michigan

Michigan Press Release

The University of Michigan announced Monday the appointment of senior forward Kevin Lynch as an alternate captain for the remainder of the season.

Lynch will join captain A.J. Treais and alternate captains Lee Moffie and Mac Bennett as Wolverines donning letters.

The 6-foot-1, 209-pound forward ranks tied for fifth on the team with seven points (3g, 4a) in nine games this season. He has recorded two multiple-point games and posted a four-game point streak (3g, 2a) from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9.

Treais to wear the 'C' for Wolverines in '12-13

Michigan Press Release

Michigan announced recently the team captains for the 2012-13 season, naming forward A.J. Treais as captain and defensemen Lee Moffie and Mac Bennett as alternate captains.

Treais was named the 83rd captain in Michigan hockey history after posting 32 points (15g, 17a) in 40 games during his junior season. The 5-foor-8, 178-pound forward set new career highs in points, goals, assists, plus/minus rating (plus-24), power-play goals (3) and game winning goals (4). He earned points in a career-high eight straight games (7g, 5a) from Jan. 21-Feb. 24, was named the CCHA Postgame® Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 20 and was named to the Great Lakes Invitational All-Tournament team after helping Michigan to the crown.

Moffie recorded 32 points (7g, 25a) in 41 games as a junior, setting new career marks in points, goals and assists. He led the team in assists, while ranking third overall and first among defensemen in points. The 6-foor-1, 205-pounder was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team and honored as the CCHA Gladiator® Defensive Player of the Week twice (Feb. 5 and Feb. 20). Moffie earned points in a career-high six consecutive games (3g, 6a) from Feb. 3 to Feb. 18.

Bennett earned the 'A' after a 21-point (4g, 17a) performance in 41 games as a sophomore. He ranked second among defensemen in points, assists and plus/minus rating (plus-16). Going 5-foor-11 and 185 pounds, Bennett set a new career high with three points (3a) on Oct. 13 vs. St. Lawrence and scored his first-career game-winning goal on Nov. 5 vs. Western Michigan.

Photo/UM Photo Services

Northern Michigan names tri-captains

Northern Michigan Press Release

Senior forwards Justin Florek and Andrew Cherniwchan and junior defenseman Scott Macaulay have been named captains for Northern Michigan this season.

“These three guys have shown throughout their career that they have the ability to lead guys,” NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. “It’s important for us that our captains have the same value structure as the coaches and these guys really demonstrate that.”

Cherniwchan has appeared in 118 games in a ‘Cats uniform, tallying 63 points on 25 goals and 38 assists. Cherniwchan was awarded the Steve Weeks Unsung Hero Award last season.

Florek, a 2010 draft pick of the Boston Bruins and a Marquette native, has appeared in 120 games and tallied 81 points with 35 goals and 46 assists during his college career. At the end of last season, Florek was named the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player, the Bill Joyce Best Forward, the Dallas Drake Defensive Player of the Year and was the recipient of the Clara Pantalone Memorial Community Service Award.

Macaulay has appeared in 68 games during his two-year career. He has one goal with 20 assists. Last season, Macaulay was awarded the Tom Laidlaw Best Defenseman and the Steve Bozek Plus/Minus Award.

Bulldogs name co-captains for '11-12

Ferris State Press Release

A pair of senior defensemen - Tommy Hill and Chad Billins - have been named captains for the 2011-12 Ferris State hockey team.

With their appointments, Hill and Billins represent the 40th and 41st student-athletes in Ferris State's men's ice hockey history to wear the honored captain's 'C' on their game jersey.

"Chad and Tommy epitomize the standards that we hold for Bulldog Hockey Players," said FSU head coach Bob Daniels, who will begin his 20th year at Ferris State this season. "Both players work hard not only on the ice, but in the classroom, the weightroom, and the community. We look forward to their service to the program."

Hill received the 2010-11 team's Blue Line Competitive Award as a result of being the Bulldogs' top competitor on a daily basis from off-ice conditioning, practice, and games as voted on by his teammates. The 6-5, 215-pound skater appeared in five games for the 2010-11 campaign.

As a sophomore in 2009-10, Hill was a co-recipient of the squad's Steve Banonis Memorial Most Improved Player Award after blocking 16 opponent shots in a career season-high 21 appearances.

A 2009-10 FSU Dean's Academic Award honoree, Hill has currently totaled 24 blocked shots in 37 career contests.

Billins, who was tabbed as FSU's Central Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year representative for the 2010-11 season, turned in his most productive campaign with career highs in points (16), goals (five), assists (11), game-winning goals (three), and power-play lamplighters (three) for 39 2010-11 outings. The 5-10, 175-pound blueliner concluded 2010-11 ranking tied for fifth in team overall scoring and second among Bulldog defensemen in points.

He chalked up a team fourth-most tying 11 helpers in 2010-11 and had produced at least a point in 14 contests, which included a pair of two-point efforts in the season opener at Alabama-Huntsville (Oct. 7) with two goals and two assists at Bowling Green State (Jan. 7). Billins was also recognized as the CCHA's Defenseman of the Week twice (Oct. 11 and Nov. 29) this past season.

Billins, a 2009-10 FSU Dean's Academic Award winner, received votes for 2010-11 CCHA All-Conference Team accolades.

For his FSU career, Billins has compiled 38 points on 10 goals and 28 assists in 106 games to date. He has tallied four power-play goals, one short-handed marker, and three game-winning lamplighters to go along with 124 blocked shots, which included 53 deflections for the 2010-11 campaign.

Prior to Hill and Billins, the last time Ferris State featured co-captains was in the 1999-2000 season when defensemen Jim Dube and Gary Ricciardi were bestowed with the noteworthy honor.

Glendening named Michigan's captain

UM Press Release

Michigan has named rising senior forward Luke Glendening the team captain for the 2011-12 campaign.

In addition, three alternate captains have been chosen: fifth-year senior goaltender Shawn Hunwick, senior defenseman Greg Pateryn and senior forward David Wohlberg.

"We had an election after the season and it was pretty clear that the players were unanimous in their support of Luke Glendening to be the captain next season," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "They recognize Luke's on-ice contributions and his work ethic and the way he does the right thing for the team every day in practice and in games. He sets a great example for young players. They also understand that Luke's character off the ice, his discipline and the way he carries himself, is the way it should be. It was probably an easy choice for the players, and it was an easy choice for the coaches."

Glendening was voted by his teammates to be an alternate captain in 2009-10 and was elevated to co-captain alongside Carl Hagelin in 2010-11. Glendening has amassed 21 goals and 28 assists in 124 career games. He set career highs for goals (8) and plus/minus (+15) in 2010-11. He was voted the MVP of the 2010 Great Lakes Invitational.

Hunwick was U-M's starting netminder for three-quarters of the 2010-11 season, posting a 22-9-4 record with a 2.21 goals against average and .925 save percentage. He earned the CCHA's Best Goaltender Award, was named the NCAA West Regional's Most Outstanding Player and was picked for the NCAA All-Frozen Four Team.

Pateryn had his best season as a Wolverine in 2010-11, posting three goals and 14 assists in 40 games. He had a +15 plus/minus rating and accumulated 28 penalty minutes.

Wohlberg will be U-M's top returning goal scorer in 2011-12 after tallying 15 goals in 2010-11. He also had six assists, giving him 21 points. The left winger missed the final seven games of the season due to injury. Wohlberg was the CCHA Rookie of the Year in 2008-09, when he put up an even 15 goals and 15 assists.

The 2010-11 co-captains were Glendening and Hagelin, who has graduated. The alternate captains were Louie Caporusso and Matt Rust, both of whom have graduated.

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services

Wayne State announces captains

WSU Press Release

Wayne State has announced the student-athletes who will serve as team captains for the 2011-12 season.

Senior forward Alyssa Baldin will wear the 'C' for the second straight year. Baldin is WSU's active scoring leader (seventh all-time in career points), a five-time honor roll student-athlete and has served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Senior defenseman Ciara Lee, senior forward Veronique Laramee-Paquette and junior forward Gina Buquet were named assistant captains.

“We are excited about our leaders for the upcoming season,” said WSU head coach Jim Fetter. “We feel that we have a great combination of captains and we are looking for them to step up and do even a better job at leading this year."

Wayne State will begin its 13th season of women’s hockey in September.

Baldin photo by Mark Hicks/WSU Athletics

Zach Redmond selected FSU captain

Ferris State Athletics Press Release

A new season brings about changes and one for the Ferris State University men's ice hockey program will be the Bulldogs' captain for the 2010-11 campaign as senior defenseman Zach Redmond (Traverse City) has been tabbed to occupy the all-important leadership role. The announcement was made by FSU men's ice hockey head coach Bob Daniels.

With the selection, Redmond becomes the 39th individual in the Ferris State program's history to wear the captain's 'C' on his game sweater.

Redmond, a 2009-10 All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Second-Team honoree, was recently selected to the CCHA Preseason All-Conference First Team for the upcoming 2010-11 campaign. The preseason recognition marked the third consecutive season in which the Bulldog defender has earned such accolades as he attained honorable mention kudos in the previous two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10).

This past 2009-10 season, Redmond finished fourth on the squad in scoring with a career season-best 27 points on six goals and 21 assists, which tied career single-season highs, in 40 contests. The 6-2, 205-pound blueliner not only recorded a plus five efficiency rating, but also accumulated a team-leading 67 blocked shots to go with five power-play goals and three game-winning lamplighters a season ago en route to garnering second-team kudos by MichiganCollegeHockey.com (MiCHO). Redmond, who earned CCHA Defenseman of the Week recognition three times (Oct. 26, Dec. 14, and Jan. 11) last season, chalked up a team fourth-most tying five multiple-point game performances and generated a squad third-most tying two multi-assist game efforts in 2009-10. The 2008-09 FSU Most Valuable Player Award recipient generated at least a point in 21 of the team's 40 2009-10 season outings. He completed this past season tied for 32nd place among the CCHA's overall points leaders while tying for 21st place in assists on the league's overall statistical leaders list.

In 115 career contests as a Bulldog, Redmond has presently amassed 70 points on 15 goals with 55 assists. He also has nettted eight power-play lamplighters, one short-handed goal, four game-winning tallies, 176 blocked shots, and 13 multi-point games to go with a plus 19 efficiency rating. A two-time (2008-09 and 2009-10) FSU Dean's Academic Award recipient, Redmond has etched his name among Ferris State's all-time top defensemen by currently ranking 12th in career assists, 13th in points, and 16th in goals.

The Ferris State skater was drafted in the 2008 National Hockey League's (NHL) Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers with the 184th overall pick in the seventh round.

Photo courtesy of Ferris State Athletics

Krug named Michigan State captain

Michigan State Press Release

Michigan State has announced that sophomore Torey Krug will captain the Spartans in the upcoming season, with senior Dustin Gazley and junior Trevor Nill serving as alternate captains.

Krug is only the second player in Michigan State history to wear a captain’s “C” on his sweater as a sophomore. Don McSween was a captain in the 1984-85 season, sharing the captaincy with Kelly Miller and Dan McFall. Krug becomes the only solo sophomore captain in program history.

“Torey has established himself as a leader in our locker room and it’s a testament to him that his teammates voted him to be their captain,” said MSU head coach Rick Comley, who is embarking on his ninth season behind the bench at Michigan State. “We saw those leadership qualities in him as we recruited him, and we knew that he would bring that to our program. Dustin Gazley and Trevor Nill are two hard-working players who expect the best of themselves and the others around them and they are great leaders by example. It’s their conduct, effort and initiative that has established them as leaders among their teammates, and the vote was very indicative of their stature in our locker room.”

“Growing up in Livonia, I always felt that pulling on a Green and White sweater would be an honor in itself,” admitted the newest Spartan captain. “I’m extremely excited about this opportunity and the chance I have to represent our team, our hockey program and Michigan State University. I’m also proud and humbled that my teammates would vote me to be their captain.

“It is an unbelievable group of guys in our locker room - one of the closest teams I have ever been on in my life. We’re very focused on working hard. We have high expectations of ourselves, and are very focused on achieving our goals.”

Krug was a member of the CCHA All-Rookie Team a season ago and finished his debut campaign with a 3-18-21 scoring line. Two of his three goals were game-winning tallies. He was paired on the blueline with 2010 All-American and Spartan captain Jeff Petry, with the duo averaging more than 24 minutes per game over the course of the season.

Gazley is one of two seniors on the roster and the only player on the roster with more than 100 games played under his belt. A top-six forward each of the last two seasons, Gazley put up nine goals and 21 points as a junior and has 19-28-47 in three seasons. Nill has appeared in 60 games over two seasons and put up 2-7-9 in 2009-10.

“It’s a great honor to wear a letter in a program that has such a rich history,” said Nill. “I believe we have quality guys in our locker room - guys with big hearts who want to succeed and play hard. I’m really looking forward to getting this season underway.”

“This is such a great group to work with and be a part of,” added Gazley. “Its an honor to wear a letter. We have a lot of juniors and seniors who have played a lot and played big roles for us coming back this season. The experience we have in our core group of players is going to be key. I'm very proud to be a part of this program.”

Krug, Gazley and Nill will lead a team with 18 returning letterwinners, 17 of which reside in the junior and sophomore classes. The team finished in second place in the 2009-10 season and returns junior Drew Palmisano, a second-team All-CCHA pick a season ago, between the pipes in addition to six letterwinners on defense.

The trio is also very involved in MSU hockey's community service initiatives - Nill was recently named the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves on the board of the MSU chapter of Athletes in Action, Krug helped organize the Student-Athlete Food Drive last November and all three have been active with Spartan Buddies and Shoot for a Cure.

Photo by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO

Michigan names alternate captains

Michigan Press Release

The University of Michigan announced this week that junior forward Carl Hagelin and sophomore forward Luke Glendening have been chosen as alternate captains for the rest of the 2009-10 season.

Hagelin (pictured) and Glendening will assist senior defenseman Chris Summers, who was tabbed as the U-M captain prior to the season's start.

"Our players had a vote after the first 10 games to choose alternate captains and it was a clear that the consensus choices were Carl Hagelin and Luke Glendening," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said.

Hagelin is off to a good start in his junior campaign, having earned four goals and four assists in the first 10 games of the season to rank second on the team in points (8). In addition to his regular forward shifts, Hagelin sees time on both the power-play and penalty-kill units. As a sophomore in 2008-09, the Swedish import had a breakout season with 13 goals and 18 points for 31 points, which ranked third on the team. He posted a +19 plus/minus rating and was U-M's representative on the 2008-09 CCHA Scholar-Athlete Team. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten distinction.

A former walk-on, Glendening is the first sophomore to wear a letter since 1990-91, when David Harlock was a sophomore co-captain. Through 10 games this season, Glendening has one goal and two assists. He skated in 35 of 41 games as a freshman, accumulating six goals, including three game-winners, and four assists to go with a +11 rating and earned U-M's Alton D. Simms Award as the team's most improved player.

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services

Petry, Sucharski named MSU co-captains

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan State has announced that redshirt senior centerman Nick Sucharski and junior defenseman Jeff Petry (Farmington Hills) have been named captains for the 2009-10 Spartan hockey team.

Sucharski and Petry were elected by a vote from team members.

“With such a young team, leadership is so important,” noted MSU head coach Rick Comley. “We have 19 sophomores and freshmen in our dressing room and holding off the vote until they had been through much of the pre-season training was designed so that the leaders had time to emerge and everyone had their say. The team has selected two quality individuals who both lead by example. I think that both Jeff and Nick are excellent choices and that they will do a good job of leading our team this season.”

“It is an honor to be a captain who is chosen by his team,” commented Petry (pictured). “Everyone on this team had a say, so it’s nice to know that your teammates have faith in you and see you as a leader. We’re anxious to get this season underway.”

“To be selected by your teammates is a large honor and really something special,” added Sucharski. “I think Jeff and I have large shoes to fill. The captains of this team since I have been here have all been great leaders for this program and I’ve learned from all of them. To have the respect of the guys in the dressing room gives us some confidence. I’m really looking forward to getting this season underway because I really missed being on the ice last year.”

Petry is in his second season of wearing a letter as he served as an alternate captain as a sophomore in 2008-09. The big blueliner was a second-round selection of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and earned All-Rookie Team honors from the CCHA in 2007-08. He was also named to the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament team in 2008 and has been honored as the team’s Outstanding Defensive Player the last two seasons at the annual MSU hockey banquet. Petry has appeared in 80 games over his two seasons in East Lansing and has either led or ranked second among defenseman in scoring both years. He has five goals and 33 assists for 38 total points.

Sucharski returns to the Spartan lineup as a redshirt senior after losing the 2008-09 season to an injury. Granted a medical redshirt for what would have been his senior season, he gives this Michigan State team another veteran voice in the dressing room as well as a two-way player who can win faceoffs. Sucharski is one of just four players on the roster who were on MSU’s 2007 national championship team. He has appeared in 124 career games, scoring 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points.

Sucharski and Petry are the first co-captains in the MSU hockey program since the 1992-93 season when Bryan Smolinski and Wes McCauley both wore the 'C' in their senior year for the Spartans.

Photo courtesy Michigan State Athletics

Chupp again to wear 'C' for Bulldogs

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Ferris State University has announced that senior Cody Chupp will occupy a familiar role for the 2009-10 campaign as the right wing-center will serve as the Bulldogs' team captain for the second consecutive season.

Chupp, a Big Rapids native, captained Ferris State this past 2008-09 campaign and had served as an assistant captain for the 2007-08 season. With his appointment, Chupp now has the distinction of being the 10th individual ever in Ferris State's hockey history to don the captain's 'C' on his jersey for at least two seasons. Prior to Chupp, the last Bulldog hockey student-athlete to serve multiple seasons in that capacity was Adam Welch, who was a three-time (2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08) team captain.

Chupp, a 6-foot, 196-pound forward, concluded the 2008-09 season with 12 points on seven goals and five assists in 33 games. He produced three power-play goals, two game-winning tallies, one game-tying marker and 18 blocked shots as the Bulldogs finished with a 12-19-7 overall record and a 9-14-5 mark in the CCHA.

In 109 career contests at Ferris State, Chupp has amassed 65 points on 26 goals and 39 assists. He also has scored 10 power-play lamplighters, two shorthanded goals, six game-winning tallies and 15 multi-point games to go with a plus-17 rating.

This past season, Chupp was selected as the recipient of the program's newly-created Community Service Award and was a nominee for the 2009 Bank of New York Mellon Hockey Humanitarian Award as college hockey's finest citizen and also earned finalist status for a 2009 National Student-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award in the category of Civic Leader. He was also nominated for the Hockey Coaches of America's (HCA) 2009 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes a fearless leader and beloved fan favorite who always places his team first.

As a sophomore in 2007-08, Chupp paced the Bulldogs in scoring with a career-best 30 points on 11 goals and 19 assists in 39 games. He also led Ferris in multi-point games (seven) and first assists (12) while garnering at least a point in 22 encounters. For his efforts, Chupp was bestowed as the recipient of Ferris State's Lloyd Earl Trophy as the team's leading scorer and also received the Blue Line Competitive Award as a result of being the Bulldogs' top competitor on a daily basis.

A FSU Dean's Academic Award honoree, Chupp earned FSU's Rookie of the Year Award plaudits as a freshman in the 2006-07 season. He placed third among the Bulldogs' top points producers with 23 points as a result of tallying eight goals and notching 23 helpers in 37 games.

The selection of assistant captains for the upcoming 2009-10 season will be announced prior to the start of the campaign.

Photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

Wildcats name co-captains for '09-10

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Northern Michigan University announced their co-captains for the 2009-10 season as defenseman Erik Gustafsson and forward Billy Smith will each wear the 'C' next year.

An assistant captain might be named at a later date.

Gustafsson just concluded his sophomore campaign for the ‘Cats and led the team with 30 assists and tied for second on the team with 34 points (4-30--34). He was named the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman for the 2008-09 season. Gustafsson was also one of five sophomores selected to the CCHA all-conference first team. Currently for his NMU career, Gustafsson has 61 points on four goals and 57 assists.

Smith, who will be entering his senior campaign next year, has been an assistant captain his first two seasons on the squad. He registered 10 points for the 2008-09 season on three goals and seven assists. For his career, Smith has seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points.

“These two guys exemplify the qualities which are important to leadership,” said NMU head coach Walt Kyle. “We wanted to have the co-captains in place now to have the leadership through spring training and into next year.”

MSU to honor former captain Smolinski

Former Michigan State captain and All-America pick Bryan Smolinski has been selected as the recipient of the 2008-09 Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award will be given at the annual Michigan State Hockey Banquet on Wednesday, March 4 at the Kellogg Center.

“Michigan State hockey shaped me to be the player and person I am now,” Smolinski said. “Hockey grooms you for life and at MSU and beyond I applied everything I learned.”

Smolinski, a native of Toledo, Ohio, played for Michigan State from 1989-93. In his four-year career, he racked up 80 goals and 101 assists for a total of 181 points. He was a part of the 1989-90 Spartan squad that captured both the CCHA regular season championship and CCHA tournament championship, as well as the 1991-92 squad that advanced to the Frozen Four on the strength of Smolinski’s game-winning goal against top-seeded Maine in the NCAA East Regional.

Smolinski’s most prolific season came as a senior when he notched 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 points. His 51 points in league play was tops in CCHA and he was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-American, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

“Senior Night was really the highlight of my career,” Smolinski said. “My freshman class had nine players, but by the time I was a senior, it was only Wes McCauley, Rob Woodward and me. Because I was one of those remaining three, I left Michigan State with a lot of pride and confidence.”

At the conclusion of his senior season, Smolinski jumped straight to the Boston Bruins, the team that drafted him in the first round of the 1990 NHL Draft. Smolinski logged 17 seasons in the NHL, spending seasons with the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. In 1,056 career regular season games, he amassed 274 goals and 377 assists for 651 career points. Smolinski also played in 123 playoff games, collecting 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points.

His best professional season came in 1995-96 when he tallied 24 goals and 40 assists for 64 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In international competition, Smolinski was a member of the 1996 United States World Cup Championsip team, the only US squad to capture the title since the creation of the Canada Cup in 1976.

Smolinski currently resides in Birmingham with his wife, Julie, and their daughters, Ashtyn (8) and Joren (2) and son, Max (5).

Tickets for the MSU hockey banquet are still available. The price is $35 or $350 for a table. For more information, call 517-355-1639 or email hockey@msu.edu

Summers to wear an 'A' for Michigan

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The University of Michigan announced this past Monday that junior forward/defenseman Chris Summers will serve as an alternate captain for the 2008-09 season.

Summers has spent the majority of his tenure at Michigan as a defenseman, tallying eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points in 81 games. During the 2007-08 campaign, Summers posted career highs in assists (11) and plus/minus (+26).

Summers, a Milan native, was drafted in the first round (29th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Summers served as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2008 World Junior Championship where the Americans placed fourth. Prior to attending U-M, he played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2004-05 and 2005-06. Summers also wore an 'A' as a member of the U.S. Under-18 Team in 2005-06.

"Chris Summers is obviously one of our top returning players," said Wolverines head coach Red Berenson. "Even though he is not a senior, he proved last year that he was an emerging leader on this team and I think he has the respect of his teammates both as a player and a person.

“We feel that he has a combination of all the ingredients that are necessary to be an effective leader on this team."

Senior defenseman Mark Mitera was named the captain of the 2008-09 Michigan squad last April. The coaching staff left open the possibility for adding an additional alternate captain.

Photo by U-M Photo Services

Chupp named Ferris State captain

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The 2008-09 Ferris State team will have junior right wing Cody Chupp as its captain in an announcement made Wednesday by FSU head coach Bob Daniels.

Junior right wing Blair Riley and sophomore defenseman Zach Redmond will serve as Bulldog assistant captains for the season.

Chupp was the 2007-08 squad's scoring leader with a career-high 30 points on 11 goals and 19 assists in 39 games. As a result, he was the recipient of the Ferris State's Lloyd Earl Trophy last season as the team's top points getter and also received the Blue Line Competitive Award for being the Bulldogs' top competitor on a daily basis.

The 2007-08 assistant captain compiled a squad-leading seven multiple-point games and tallied at least a point in 22 outings. Chupp has compiled 53 career points with 19 goals and 34 assists in 76 outings. The 2006-07 FSU Rookie of the Year Award winner has also posted a +19 career efficiency rating while tallying four game-winning goals and two shorthanded lamplighters.

Riley was a co-recipient of FSU's Steve Banonis Memorial Most Improved Player Award in the 2007-08 campaign after placing third among the Bulldogs' top points leaders with a career-best 24 points on 14 goals with 10 assists, which were also career highs, in 36 games. He notched a squad third-most five multiple-point game performances and posted at least a point in 16 encounters. In 70 career contests, Riley has totaled 33 points on 17 goals and 16 assists to go with a plus three efficiency rating.

Redmond, who was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers with the 184th overall pick in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, received 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team Honorable Mention honors and was also tabbed as Ferris State's Rookie of the Year for the 2007-08 season. He led all Bulldog defensemen in scoring with 19 points on six goals and 13 assists in 37 games while placing sixth in team overall scoring. Redmond tied for fourth on the team with three multi-point game efforts while his +14 efficiency rating marked a tie for second best on the squad.

Chupp photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

Warriors name DiPietro team captain

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Wayne State has announced that senior forward Lindsay DiPietro will serve as team captain for the upcoming 2008-09 season and Christine Jefferson, Sam Poyton and Tina Vanderhoeven will be assistant captains.

DiPietro, who was an assistant captain last season, is a two-time Second Team All-College Hockey America and CHA All-Academic Team selection. She is Wayne State's all-time single-season (48) and career (103) leader in assists and ranks third in school history with 140 career points.

Jefferson will don the "A" on her jersey for the second consecutive year. She has played in every game of her two-year career, totaling 18 points including nine last season with a +11 plus/minus rating. She was also named to the CHA All-Academic Team in 2007-08.

Poyton was selected to the All-CHA First Team for the second time in her career last season after earning Second Team honors in 2006-07. She set single-season school records last year in goals (38), game-winning goals (13), and power-play goals (11). She also ranks second in school history with 148 career points and 84 goals.

A two-time All-CHA Second Team and CHA All-Academic award recipient, Vanderhoeven finished fifth on the squad in assists (10) and sixth in points (13) a year ago. She also had the fourth-best plus/minus rating on the team (+26).

DiPietro photo by Mark Hicks/WestSide Photographic

Lerg to wear the 'C' for Michigan State

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan State has announced the captains for the 2008-09 Spartan hockey team.

Senior goaltender Jeff Lerg has been named the captain, while classmates Tim Kennedy, Tim Crowder and Brandon Gentile have been named alternate captains.

“While Jeff will be wearing a 'C' for the first time, there is no doubt about his leadership on the ice or in the locker room,” noted MSU head coach Rick Comley. “Jeff has earned the respect of everyone in the program and he unquestionably has been a leader on this team during each of his three years. All four players who are wearing letters next year have accomplished a high level of success over the last three years and I think that they will be great leaders for our hockey team, especially with a large group of freshmen joining the program.”

Lerg, who was an alternate captain in 2007-08, has put together one of the most accomplished, decorated resumes of any Spartan in the history of the program. In 2007-08, he put together one of the most decorated campaigns in school history. The netminder was a Hobey Baker finalist, a Second-Team All-America selection, the CCHA First-Team goaltender, and the CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In addition, he was a finalist for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete, as well as a finalist for CCHA Player of the Year honors.

In addition to earning team MVP honors for the second consecutive season, the junior finished the season ninth in the country in save percentage (.926) and a 2.22 goals-against average, which ranked 18th nationally. Lerg’s career numbers rank among the top five all-time at Michigan State in several categories: save percentage (.922), second; saves (2,956), second; goals-against average (2.22), third; career shutouts (10), fourth; wins (67), fifth; games played (114), fourth; and consecutive games played (63), first.

Lerg, whose cousin, Bryan Lerg, captained MSU last year, is a three-year starter who has guided the hockey program into at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons, making Michigan State one of just three schools to accomplish that feat along with Boston College and North Dakota. He backstopped the Spartans to the 2007 NCAA title and was named the University’s George Alderton Award winner as the top male athlete in 2007. In addition, he was named the USA Hockey College Player of the Year. As a freshman, Lerg emerged as the starter in January and went on an impressive run that saw him earn CCHA Rookie of the Year honors, then emerged as the CCHA Tournament MVP when he helped the Spartans capture the 2006 CCHA title.

Kennedy (pictured) will wear an 'A' for the second straight season and has been the team’s top scorer in each of the last two seasons. In 113 career games in the Green & White, he has 42 goals and 63 assists for 105 points. He was a second-team All-CCHA pick a year ago and was named to the 2007 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.

Crowder and Gentile will serve as alternate captains for the first time in their careers. Crowder is the active leader in career games played (127), and also in goals (46). He has added 47 assists for 93 career points. A big, mobile winger, Crowder has been a fixture on the Spartans’ top lines since his freshman season along with Kennedy.

Gentile will be counted on this season to help anchor a defensive corps that has lost three regulars. A steady, stay-at-home type, Gentile has had two productive seasons after missing most of his freshman campaign with injury. He has appeared in 97 career games and has 13 career assists.

Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletics

Sirota named NMU assistant captain

By Kyle Whitney/NMU Beat Writer

When junior Wildcat forward Nick Sirota took the ice against the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday night, there was a new addition to his green and gold uniform: a capital 'A.'

Sirota was named an assistant captain for the Northern Michigan Wildcats prior to the game and joins defenseman T.J. Miller and forward Billy Smith as Wildcat assistant captains.

"It's definitely an honor. My mindset - I don't think it's really going to change," Sirota said. "As long as I just keep working hard, hopefully people are going to follow."

After picking up a goal and an assist in Saturday's game, Sirota leads the Wildcat team with seven goals and six assists through ten games.

"Does it surprise me that he is having the success that he is having? Not really," said NMU head coach Walt Kyle. "We knew Nick was going to score his goals."

Kyle added that Sirota's biggest asset may be the jump and energy that he brings to the team every night.

"When he does that," Kyle continued. "The goals are just a bonus."

The coach added that Sirota will continue to get more opportunities this season after the departure of a large senior class last year and that the junior is no longer just a spot player.