BURLINGTON, Vt. - Vermont men's hockey head coach Todd Woodcroft has selected four student-athletes to lead the Catamounts in the 2020-21 campaign. Defenseman Andrew Lucas will be the 62nd captain in program history. He is also just the fourth sophomore captain in program history. Seniors Alex Esposito, Owen Grant and Bryce Misley will serve as alternate captains.  
 
"We are very proud to announce the four players that will serve as UVM men's hockey team captains for the 2020-2021 season," Woodcroft said. "We are a team that believes all players are capable of leadership and as a coaching staff, it is our duty to develop each of our young men into leadership roles. At the same time, over the past several years and specifically over the past five weeks, a distinct leadership group has made itself evident. Each of these young men exemplify the one quality that we value the highest for UVM men's hockey – accountability. Accountability to the University of Vermont, the community, the tradition of the team and most of all, to each other."
 
"The three alternates and captain have demonstrated over a short period of time (and a longer one as well) that they will shape the future of Catamount hockey through their actions and preparation," continued Woodcroft. "They lead by example on and off the ice and will go above and beyond for their teammates and UVM hockey. The future is bright with these young men in the lead."
 
Lucas joins Marshall Stevenson '66, Jaime Sifers '06 and H.T. Lenz '14 as sophomore captains of the Green & Gold. He skated in all 34 games last season as a freshman and led the team in scoring with 15 points. He had five goals and 10 assists on the campaign. He also blocked 26 shots which was tied for fifth on the team. With two power play goals in Hockey East action he was also tied for the team lead in power play markers.
 
Esposito had 13 points in 30 games last season including the game-winning goal at St. Lawrence. On the final weekend of the regular season he recorded a career-high three points with two goals in Vermont's 4-2 win over 12th-ranked Northeastern. He finished the 2019-20 campaign with a 50.6% success rate at the faceoff circle.
 
Grant is the Catamounts most experienced returner, having played 98 games over his first three seasons with Vermont. He had two assists in league play last season in a tie at Boston University and a win over #12 Northeastern at home. His 29 blocked shots were fourth most on the team.
 
A Minnesota Wild draft pick, Misley is coming off his best season as a collegian. He had a career-high five goals and five assists last season. In the Catamounts' final home game of the season he recorded the first two-goal game of his career in a 3-1 win over #12 Northeastern. He was also third on the team in blocked shots with 31.
 
Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the UVM men's hockey program