Supplied by Lake Superior State University…
SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State hockey head coach Damon Whitten announced that the captain for the 2015-16 season will be senior Austin McKay. Seniors Bryce Schmitt and Eric Drapluk were named the team’s assistant captains.
McKay, a Toronto native, registered a career-high five goals last season while playing in a career-high 35 games. His 37 shots, five points and a team-leading two power-play goals were all career-highs for McKay.
McKay also blocked 31 shots on the defensive end and was named a Western Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar Athlete for achieving a 3.50 or higher grade-point average for the second straight season.
“It means a great deal to me,” McKay said of receiving the captain’s C. “It’s especially an honor with how much tradition our great program has and all the great players that have played here. It’s such a surreal feeling and a big responsibility that I take seriously.”
“Austin has the respect of the team and the command of the room.  His passion for the game and for Laker hockey is without parallel,” said Whitten. “We know as a staff that Austin will say and do the right things at all times and will be a great extension of the coaching staff in the dressing room.”
Schmitt, a fourth-year forward from Minot, N.D., has seen his production steadily climb over the last three seasons. Last year Schmitt finished second on the team in goals and points after collecting career highs of 7-8–15.
“What really came to mind for me when I was named as a captain was just looking back at what this program has accomplished,” said Schmitt. “I also thought of the previous guys who wore the letters for this program, and I hope to lead the team like they did.
“A goal for me as a captain is to lead this team by example,” Schmitt continued, “I may not be a guy who comes up with a pregame pep talk, but I plan on doing the right things day in and day out to help this team succeed.”
Schmitt returns with the third-most career points among active Lakers with 17-15–32. His 17 career goals tie him with junior Alex Globke for the team’s highest active career total.
“Bryce is a guy you love to coach,” Whitten said. “He never requires additional attention for outside matters. He shows up every day and brings a high compete level to the ice. He demands teammates to match his work ethic and commitment on a daily basis. With those attributes he will lead by example and aid our team in being prepared to play every day.”
At the Soo BlueLiners banquet last spring, Schmitt was honored as the co-recipient of the Jim Howie Unsung Hero award along with senior captain Andrew Dommett. The award honors the team’s hardest-working individual and leader on and off of the ice.
The Lakers expect McKay and Schmitt to set lasting examples of hard work and dedication on a young crop of forwards.
Drapluk earned the role of assistant captain last season and will continue to hold that status this season. The senior from Pembroke Pines, Fla. will continue to be counted on to support a young defensive corps.
Last season Drapluk led the Lakers in average time on ice last season and tied for the team lead in defensive scoring with 3-8-11. Drapluk was named the team’s Most Valuable Defenseman after appearing in all 38 games and anchoring the team’s top defensive pairing.
“I am honored to be recognized as a leader and a captain by my teammates and the coaching staff,” Drapluk said of his second tour of duty as an assistant captain. “We are very excited to get to work and strive to be one of the top teams in the nation.”
“Eric was part of our leadership group last year and did a great job of helping five freshmen defensemen adjust to the college game,” said Whitten. “He will be a big piece of our success this year. Eric’s leadership style tends to be more of a lead by example approach, but he also has a great ability to know when he needs to speak up and make his voice heard.”
This year’s captains won’t be alone in carrying the weight of leadership roles inside the locker room. The captains group will have the advantage of being supported by seniors Zach Loesch, Peter Spratte and Daniel Vernace. Whitten believes the entire class will come together as a group to lead the program.
“While we will certainly look to our captains to guide our program this season, they are surrounded by a strong supporting cast,” Whitten said of his senior group. “Our captains, along with our other seniors have put together a strong summer on and off the ice in order to be prepared to lead our team this season.  We will look to that entire group to steer Laker hockey in the 2015-16 season.”
The Lakers open their season Oct. 3 at 3:07 p.m. with a Blue vs. Gold scrimmage game at Taffy Abel Arena. They face the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18s on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 5:07 p.m. Admission to the Blue vs. Gold scrimmage is free. To purchase tickets to the exhibition game against and other games throughout the season, please call 906-635-2602 or order tickets online, lssutickets.universitytickets.com.