Sept. 19, 2016 Head University of Denver hockey coach Jim Montgomery announced today that senior forward Matt Marcinew (Calgary, Alberta) has been named an alternate captain for the 2016-17 season. Marcinew joins Matt VanVoorhis (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Evan Janssen (Green Bay, Wis.) as the team's alternate captains, with Colorado Avalanche prospect Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) set to don the `C' as team captain.
"Matt has exhibited a `team-first' attitude throughout his time at DU and it was a unanimous decision by our coaches and leadership group to name him an alternate captain," says Montgomery. "He's developed his game quite a bit since his freshman season and his warrior-like demeanor and passion for the game are tremendous assets for us. His character, work ethic and dedication to his teammates are all second-to-none and we're very pleased to have him wearing an `A' for what promises to be an exciting season for us."
In 116 career games as a Pioneer, Marcinew has tallied 42 points on 19 goals and 23 assists. The 22-year-old center scored a career-high 11 goals last season while appearing in all 41 of Denver's games. He also won 289 faceoffs in 2015-16 which was the second-highest total on the team (Shore, 313) and the 11th-best mark in the NCHC.
"It's an honor to be selected to wear a letter for my senior season," says Marcinew. "Will, Evan, Matt and I - along with our entire class - have learned a lot from the great leaders we've had at DU the last three years and we're all looking forward to helping the Pioneers make another run at a national title in 2016-17."
Prior to joining the Crimson & Gold, Marcinew spent two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with Lloydminster and Olds, totaling 52G-51A-103P in 119 games. He was named to the AJHL (North) All-Rookie Team in 2011-12 after recording 60GP-19G-26A-45P for Lloydminster and finished in the Top 10 in league scoring in 2012-13 with 59GP-33G-25A-58P.
Denver will open its 2016-17 season with an exhibition game against the Mount Royal Cougars on Saturday, October 1 (puck drop - 7:00pm) at Magness Arena. The following weekend, Boston College, Ohio State and Air Force will visit Denver for the 2016 College Hockey, Inc. Ice Breaker. Tickets to all upcoming DU home games can be obtained by visiting DenverPioneers.com/Tickets. Full and half-season ticket packages are also currently available for purchase.
