GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? University of North Dakota head men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today that senior forward Ryan Duncan has been named team captain for the 2008-09 season.
Hakstol also announced that senior defensemen Joe Finley and Zach Jones and senior forward Matt Watkins have been named assistant captains.
“This group of four individuals has earned the respect of their teammates through the early part of this season and over the course of their careers and will do a great job of leading this team toward the goals of 2008-09,” said Hakstol.
Duncan, the 2006-07 Hobey Baker Award recipient, leads all returning NCAA men's hockey players with 133 career points in 132 games. Last season the Calgary, Alberta, native tied for the team lead in goals (18) and ranked second in points (40) while earning All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) second team honors.
An assistant captain last season, Duncan was awarded UND's Archie Krum Memorial Scholarship for leadership qualities, high academic standards and athletic excellence.
Finley, a native of Edina, Minn., was named to his second straight All-WCHA Academic team in 2007-08 and led the Sioux in plus/minus (+24) for the second straight season. Finley appeared in all 43 games and achieved career highs in goals (four), assists (11) and points (15).
Jones has appeared in 129 career games, more than any other active Sioux defenseman. The Lisle, Ill., native played in 41 games last season and recorded a +8 plus/minus rating.
Watkins, a native of Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, was named to his second consecutive All-WCHA Academic team last season and recorded career highs in points (18), goals (eight) and game-winning goals (three) while playing in all 43 games.
The Sioux make their 2008-09 debut on Sunday, Oct. 5, when they host the University of Manitoba in exhibition action at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The puck drops at 6:07 p.m.
UND will open the regular season Oct. 10-11 at the IceBreaker Invitational in Boston against Boston University and Massachusetts.
