Gophers Announce Captains for 2018-19
MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher Hockey head coach Bob Motzko announced today that senior forwards Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. will serve as team captains for the Maroon & Gold during the 2018-19 campaign while senior forwards Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will serve as assistant captains.
Tyler Sheehy | Senior | Forward | Burnsville, Minn.
“Being the captain at the ‘U’ is an incredible honor. Being an underclassman you get the entire concept of what this program means to the school, the fans, and the alumni, and as you spend more time here it becomes even more evident. Seeing others wear the ‘C’ before me and the leadership qualities they showed made me want to incorporate those same qualities in myself. The blood, sweat and tears that have been put into this program are characteristics of what makes wearing the ‘M’ so meaningful. Seeing a ‘C’ on my jersey for the first time was something that I will never forget and wearing it is something that I will never take for granted. There is incredible tradition and passion behind Gopher Hockey, and I hope to carry that out by being the best leader that I am capable of being.”
A native of Burnsville, Minn., Sheehy is the only returning captain to the Gophers roster this year – having served as team captain as a junior last year. The forward enters his senior season at Minnesota having played in 111 career games with 108 career points (44 goals, 64 assists) – the forward is tied for second among active NCAA skaters in career points. Sheehy was named a First Team All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2017.
Brent Gates Jr. | Senior | Forward | Grand Rapids, Mich.
“It’s an unbelievable honor to be able to captain the Gophers. Obviously, there’s a long line of great players and great leaders that have been named captain here before me, so it’s an awesome feeling to be given the opportunity to try and follow in their footsteps. I’m excited for the new challenge and can’t wait to get the season started.”
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich. Gates is coming off his best season with the Gophers, recording 26 points as a junior last year including 12 goals to tie for the team lead. The Anaheim Ducks prospect has skated in 110 career games for the Gophers with 54 points (29 goals, 25 assists). A second-generation Gopher, Gates’ father (also Brent) played baseball at Minnesota and was a First Team All-American and the 1991 Big Ten Player of the Year.
Jack Ramsey | Senior | Forward | Chanhassen, Minn.
“Having have such a tight knit locker room and one that is filled with great people on and off the ice, it’s an honor to be named one of the assistant captains, and knowing it was voted on by teammates makes it even more of a privilege.”
A native of Chanhassen, Minn., Ramsey has skated in 105 career games at Minnesota with 20 career points (five goals, 15 assists). The Chicago Blackhawks prospect doubled his offensive output last year as a junior with four goals and six assists. Ramsey’s father (Mike) also played hockey at the University of Minnesota as did his sister (Rachel).
Darian Romanko | Senior | Forward | Shoreview, Minn.
“Being a captain means being able to lead an outstanding group of men who trust and believe in me and have become family to me. Without their support and dedication to the game, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
A native of Shoreview, Minn., Romanko has played in 110 career games for the Maroon & Gold with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). His nine points, four goals and five assists last year were all career bests while the forward has played in 96-straight games for Minnesota – the longest active iron man streak among the Gophers.
The 98th season of Gopher men's hockey will see the Maroon & Gold take the ice for the first time under new head coach Bob Motzko, who returns to the University of Minnesota after helping the program claim back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003 as an assistant coach. Tickets for the 2018-19 Gopher Hockey season are now on sale at MyGopherSports.com.
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