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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Select Captains for 2014-15 Season

September 17, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (September 17th) - As the Muskegon Lumberjacks get set for their Fifth Anniversary Season in the United States Hockey League, the team has announced the five players that will be serving as captains for the upcoming season. This season's leadership core consists of returning Captain Mason Jobst along with new Assistant Captains Christian Wolanin, Jack Rowe, Matheson Iacopelli, and Griffen Molino.

Jobst, the Speedway, Indiana native, is returning for his fourth season with the Lumberjacks and helped co-captain the 2013-14 team with now Wisconsin freshman Cullen Hurley. In his four-year USHL stint, Jobst has tallied 19 goals and 62 assists to go along with a plus-seven rating in 150 games played.

"It's an honor, and I am excited to be leading this year's team as we have a great core group of leaders that will help push our solid group of young players to bigger and better achievements," shared Jobst. "We have a good group of returning players back (from last year), and I believe it's the most-skilled team we've had since I've been here. It's going to take a lot of hard work to get to where we want to get to because on any given night, you can be beaten in this league no matter how good or skilled you are."

Wolanin, the Rochester, Michigan native, returns for his first full season with the Lumberjacks after coming over last December in a trade with the Green Bay Gamblers. During his two-year USHL career with Muskegon and Green Bay, Wolanin has recorded 7 goals and 28 assists in 113 games played.

"It's a very good feeling, and I'm honored to be chosen by the coaching staff and my teammates to help lead this team," said Wolanin. "I'm excited and looking forward to stepping into my role (with the Lumberjacks) being already familiar with the leadership role as I served as an Assistant Captain during my time with Little Caesars. Regardless of the letter on my jersey, I will continue to lead by example both on and off the ice."

Rowe, the Cary, Illinois native, returns for his first full season with the Lumberjacks after being picked up from the Fargo Force in a trade last February. The North Dakota commit is entering his fourth USHL season and has spent time with both the Lumberjacks and Force along with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. During his tenure, Rowe has totaled 38 goals and 38 assists in 139 league games played.

"It's exciting and an honor to be one of the guys that gets to wear a letter and help the team get to where we need to be," explained Rowe. "We have a good group of assistants that will help alongside Mason (Jobst) throughout the season, and it's a good feeling to be wearing a letter for the first time in my junior career."

Iacopelli, the Woodhaven, Michigan native, returns for his second season in Muskegon following a successful USHL rookie campaign leading the league with 41 goals scored and becoming the third player in the league's Tier I era (2002-present) to amass at least 40 goals during a single season. In addition, the Western Michigan commit and 2014 Chicago Blackhawks 3rd round draft pick led the team with 64 points in 58 games played while being named as an Eastern Conference First Team Midseason All-Star and tabbed to the All-USHL First Team. Iacopelli will serve as an assistant captain specifically during every home game this season.

"It feels great, and it's a huge honor to be nominated by the team along with the coaching staff," shared Iacopelli. "As I continue to develop into an efficient two-way player, I hope to provide leadership and show the younger players my hard work ethic and dedication into becoming a better hockey player."

Molino, the Trenton, Michigan native, is entering his first season with the Lumberjacks after being acquired in an offseason trade this past May from the Sioux Falls Stampede. Last season in South Dakota, the Western Michigan commit accumulated 8 goals and 31 assists in 61 games played. Molino will serve as an assistant captain specifically during every road game this season.

"It's a great feeling and nice to know that the guys on the team have a lot of respect for me as a player and person," said Molino. "I hope to put forth an effort that they can look up to while treating me as one of the leaders. The guys that have earned the letters are going to do a good job and do whatever it takes for this team to achieve great things both on and off the ice."

Combined, these five captains share a wealth of USHL experience logging ten total years in the league and skating in 521 games.

Season ticket packages for the 2014-15 season are on sale for as low as $195, and fans can find information on our Black, Crimson, Gold, and Youth packages along with the numerous benefits available when purchasing their season ticket by visiting www.muskegonlumberjacks.com under the "Tickets" section. To purchase their respective seat for all 29 home games this season, fans can stop by the L.C. Walker Arena Box Office during the normal business hours of 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Monday - Friday or call (231) 724-5225.

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