Senior defenseman Kevin Albers and junior defenseman Matt Dineen will serve as the Niagara hockey team captains for the 2014-15 season, head coach Dave Burkholder announced. They will be the 22nd and 23rd players to wear the “C” for the Purple Eagles.
The roll of assistant captains will be taken on by senior forward Isaac Kohls and sophomore forward TJ Sarcona.
“On behalf of my staff it is with great pleasure announcing this year’s captains, although we expect everyone to be a leader on this year’s edition of Purple Eagle Hockey,” Burkholder said. “We feel that these four student-athletes can band together and have an impact on keeping us focused, prepared and making sure we are adhering to the culture that has been established over the first 19 seasons here at the Dwyer. “
Albers, a second-year captain, has been a steady force on the defensive end for the Purple Eagles. The Orion, Mich. native has played in 94 games during his Purple Eagle career, notching three goals and 13 assists for 16 points. Before his junior campaign that saw him compile six points, the Orion, Mich. native had a career-sophomore season with career-highs in goals (2), assists (5) and points (7) in 37 games.
Dineen will be entering his third year as a Purple Eagle defenseman after registering career-high marks in goals (1), assists (4) and points (5) in 14 games as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 blueliner tallied his first career goal and assist last season in a 6-4 come from behind victory over Canisius.
The team’s assistant captains, Kohls and Sarcona, ranked second and third on the team in points during the 2013-14 campaign, respectively.
For his career, Kohls has suited up for 93 games, scoring 24 goals and adding 33 helpers for 57 points. Kohls had a superb showing as a junior, garnering career-high marks in goals (12) and points (24), while adding 12 assists en route to reaching the half century mark in points. The Forest Lake, Minn. native had six multiple-point games as a junior, pushing his career total to 12.
Sarcona enjoyed a successful rookie campaign that saw him lead all freshmen with 22 points off 11 goals, which included a power-play and shorthanded tally, and 11 assists in 38 contests. His 22 points ranked him seventh among freshmen in Atlantic Hockey, while his 11 tallies slated him into the fourth spot in the league.
After hosting an exhibition game against Brock on Sunday, Oct. 5, the 2014-15 regular season begins at Dwyer Arena against Clarkson on Friday, Oct. 10 and St. Lawrence the following day. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.
Season tickets are now available. For more ticket information, please contact the Niagara Ticket Office at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), [email protected] or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.
