The Bison men's hockey team is preparing for the beginning of the 80th Canada West season at home against the Regina Cougars over the Oct. 9-10 weekend and pleased to announce the team captains for the 2015-16 season. Forward Jordan DePape and defenceman Luke Paulsen will be co-captains while defencemen Brock Sutherland and Lee Christensen will be the alternate captains for Manitoba this season.
Bison men's hockey head coach Mike Sirant, in his 20th season at Manitoba, said, "All four players serve in the captain position this season are excellent leaders. They are leaders who lead by example on the ice, in the classroom and in the community. They are honoured to represent the Bisons and are excited to uphold the standard of excellence set by previous Bison captains."
DePape, 23, is a captain for a second consecutive season (he was an alternate last year) playing in his third season with Manitoba. The 6'0", 190 lbs. forward was seventh in Canada West scoring with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 28 conference regular season games while also being selected as a 2014-15 Canada West Men's Hockey Student-Athlete Community Service award winner. In his rookie Bison season, the Winnipeg native added 24 points (10g, 14a) in 26 conference regular season games, good for fourth in team scoring in 2013-14.
Paulsen, 22, is a captain for a second consecutive season (he was an alternate last year) now in his third season with Manitoba. The 6'0", 190 lbs. defenceman had another solid season in 2014-15 as he contributed eight points (3g, 5a) in 24 conference regular season games. The Winnipeg native had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) while playing all 28 conference regular season games in his rookie campaign with the Herd.
Sutherland, 24, wears the 'A' for the second consecutive season in his fourth year at Manitoba. The 6'2", 210 lbs. defenceman had his best offensive season with the Bisons in 2014-15 when he potted 16 points (2g, 14a), tied for fifth among conference defenceman scoring, with a +5 plus/minus rating in all 28 conference regular season games.
Christensen, 24, has the 'A' for the first time in his fourth season of eligibility. The 6'1", 190 lbs. blueliner registered three points (1g, 2a) and added a +6 plus/minus rating while playing in 19 conference regular season games in 2014-15.
Bison hockey notes: The Bison men's hockey team host the Regina Cougars in their season home opener weekend series on Oct. 9-10 weekend at Wayne Fleming Arena. The puck drop is 7 p.m. CT on Friday and 1 p.m. CT on Saturday.
