Captains Named for 2023-24 Buccaneers
Published on October 3, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
The Des Moines Buccaneers have named Aiden VanRooyan as captain, and Owen West as assistant captain, for the 2023-24 season.
"Aiden and Owen are two players who exemplify what we do and what we believe in here as Buccaneers," said head coach Matt Curley.
VanRooyan is in his second season with the Buccaneers. The 2003-born left shot defenseman hails from Dakota Dunes, SD, is 6'2, 196 lbs. and has not yet made his NCAA commitment. VanRooyan has played 97 games in the USHL and a total of 155 in his junior hockey career. Last season with Des Moines, VanRooyan posted 4 goals and 14 points. He continues to lead the Bucs defense and penalty kill.
West is in his second season with the Buccaneers, has played 64 games in the USHL and 119 games in his junior hockey career. A native of Pittsboro, IN, West is a 2004-born left-shot defenseman, is 5'11, 179 lbs and committed to Michigan State. West posted 6 goals and 17 points last season for Des Moines and holds down a spot on the Buccaneers power play.
"We will continue to rely on a leadership group to support these guys, we believe in that collective leadership. These two guys will be the core of that leadership group," Curley said. "It was unanimous among the players, there wasn't one person who didn't list these two among those they wanted to lead this team."
The Buccaneers are on the road this weekend with contests at the USNTDP and Youngstown Phantoms on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 & 7. The team returns to Buccaneer Arena to face the Green Bay Gamblers on Oct. 13 and Tri-City Storm on Oct. 14. Get your tickets at the box office, by calling 515-278-2827 or at tickets.bucshockey.com.
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