USHL Madison Capitols

Lohin Named Third Captain in Capitols History

Published on November 2, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - On the heels of his team's strong 6-4-0 start to the 2015-16 USHL season, Madison Capitols head coach and general manager Troy G. Ward announced that Ryan Lohin (Chadds Ford, Pa.) would serve as the third captain in franchise history.

The 19-year-old Lohin, a UMass-Lowell commit, was the first official Capitols' tendered player when he agreed to join the franchise in April of 2014. In playing in each of the Capitols' 70 games since the team's inception, the center has scored 13 goals and added 23 assists. He enters play this week tied for 11th in the USHL in scoring with 10 points in his first 10 games.

"There's a lot of leaders on this team, and it's an honor to be chosen as the figurehead to be the captain of the team," Lohin said. "Moving forward, this team has a chance to make a big run; I think it's going to be pretty easy to lead these guys because everyone seems to fit in place pretty well."

The Capitols' leading scorer this season did not outwardly expect a letter, but he says the distinction does not change his own mindset about leading the group.

"You always try to be a leader, whether you get a letter or not," Lohin said. "You want to carry yourself and represent the Capitols the best way you can."

Lohin follows in the footsteps of current Minnesota State-Mankato freshman defenseman Alec Vanko and Ohio State freshman forward Freddy Gerard, who each served as a captain in the Capitols' inaugural season in 2014-15.

Joining Lohin as alternate captains are a trio of USHL veterans: forwards Tyson McLellan (San Jose, Calif.) and Haralds Egle (Liepaje, Latvia), as well as defenseman Tommy Muck (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.).

McLellan has discovered his offensive groove since being acquired by the Capitols from the Waterloo Black Hawks on Sept. 22. In his first 10 games in Madison, the center has scored five goals, just one fewer than his entire 2014-15 output in Waterloo.

"It's an honor for anybody to get a letter; it's good for me to come here and fit in with the team and coaching staff," McLellan said of his phenomenal opening month. "They've been so welcoming to me."

The son of an NHL head coach, Todd McLellan of the Edmonton Oilers, Tyson is aware of the responsibilities that come with a leadership distinction.

"(Having an "A" on your sweater) definitely puts more on your plate," McLellan said of the duties tied to the honor. "When I was a younger guy in the league, I know I looked up to certain guys on my team that had letters and had been in the league. (The four leaders) have to lead by example, and when things aren't going well, we have to be the ones the younger guys can look up to."

Egle, the Capitols' all-time leading scorer, has produced 20 goals and 32 assists in 64 games in Madison, including nine points in 10 games this season.

"We were all so happy for (Ryan to earn the captaincy)," Egle said of his teammate. "(The captain letters) are another way for us to be role models on this team and to lead the way."

Muck, an original Capitols' draft pick in 2014, has also skated in each of Madison's 70 games, scoring 24 points from the blue line. He is committed to play college hockey at Bemidji State University.

"We have so many returners (from our first season), and a lot of the guys are such good leaders. It's such an honor to be able to have (an A) on my jersey," Muck said.

The 19-year-old defenseman, who has played in each of the Capitols' games alongside Lohin, was quick to praise his longtime teammate.

"(Ryan) is so well liked around the locker room. He comes to the rink and works hard every day, and a lot of the guys look up to him. He deserves (the captaincy) 100 percent."

Lohin, Muck, Egle, and McLellan lead the Capitols into a pivotal stretch of games in the month of November that includes matchups with four conference foes.

The Capitols will complete their six-game homestand on Fri., Nov. 6 against the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the second WJJO Dollar Beer Night of the 2015-16 season. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. with coverage on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone.

Tickets to upcoming Capitols home games can be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS or by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com.

Check out the Madison Capitols Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2015


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