Schenectady, NY (May 9, 2003) – The Union College men's hockey program announced on Friday the captains' squad for the 2003-04 season. Glenn Sanders (Saugus, Mass.) was voted by the players and staff to serve as captain of the Dutchmen, while Brent Booth (Calgary, Alb.) and Joel Beal (Brantford, Ont.) were chosen as assistant captains. Sanders will take over for graduating senior Nathan Gillies (Cambridge, Ont.) who was Union's captain in 2002-03.
“Union Hockey has been blessed with strong leadership throughout it's history,” said head coach Kevin Sneddon. “Nathan Gillies continued that tradition this past season and really took the responsibility to a new level. He has paved the way for next year's captains and we are extremely confident that this trio will guide Union Hockey to a level that has yet to be obtained.”
In his three years at Union, Sanders has played in 77 games with four goals and seven assists. During the 2002-03 season, the 6'0, 185 lb. center led the Dutchmen in hits and blocked shots, and has skated on Union's checking line for the past two seasons.
“Glennie has had a tremendous impact on our team during the past three seasons,” said Sneddon. “He epitomizes what Union Hockey stands for: commitment, dedication, sacrifice, work ethic, and sportsmanship. He has captured the respect of Union fans, alums, his teammates, and certainly the coaching staff.”
Sanders is joined by Booth, who served as assistant captain last season as a junior. The defenseman has three goals and 14 assists in 97 games at Union, and is second in career points among returning blueliners.
Beal rounds out the squad as an assistant captain. He centered Union's most prolific scoring line as a sophomore in 2002-03, and closed out the season as the Dutchmen's co-leading scorer with 37 points.
Sneddon sees this duo as the ideal compliment to Sanders' captaincy. ” Brent is the perfect role model for younger players as his commitment to academics, strength and conditioning, and to the hockey program in general is second to none. Joel leads by example on the ice and has really stepped it up in terms of his leadership off the ice. Being one of the premier college players in the ECAC, Joel has earned the respect of his teammates and certainly deserves to be a leader of next year's team.”
The Dutchmen graduate five seniors in June, but return 22 players, including seven of the top-10 scorers from last season. They begin ECAC play on November 14 at home vs. Dartmouth.