Skip to main content

University of Michigan Athletics

Tony Calderone

Michigan Elects 2017-18 Captain and Alternates

10/19/2017 11:35:00 AM | Ice Hockey

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In anticipation of Friday's home opener, the University of Michigan hockey team elected senior forward Tony Calderone as captain for the 2017-18 campaign, while classmate Sam Piazza will serve as alternate captain alongside junior defenseman Joseph Cecconi and sophomores Griffin Luce and Jake Slaker.

Michigan hosts University of Vermont on Friday and Saturday, Oct 20-21, to open up its home slate.

Caldrone led the Wolverines in scoring in 2016-17, registering 15 goals along with three assists while also notching a team-best five power-play goals. The Trenton, Michigan, native tallied two goals in U-M's Great Lakes Invitation win over rival Michigan State, including the game-winner in overtime, when he was named to the all-tournament team. Calderone was also named to the 2016-17 Academic All-Big Ten team for his efforts in the classroom.

Calderone becomes the 98th captain in the program's history, joining the likes of Al Renfrew, Red Berenson, Mel Wakabayashi, Brendan Morrison, Kevin Porter and JT Compher, to name a few.

Piazza, one of Michigan's top defensemen in 2016-17, being named 2016-17 Big Ten Honorable Mention while leading all U-M defenseman with 14 points in 32 games. He set career highs in points, goals and assists, while serving as an assistant captain for the second half of the season. Piazza was also named a 2015-16 and 2016-17 Academic All-Big Ten honoree, while also being presented with the 2016-17 Awarded Carl Isaacson Trophy as the team's best student-athlete.

Cecconi saw action in 33 games in 2016-17, and tallied a career-high eight points (one goal, seven assists). The Youngstown, New York, native was also a member of the gold-medal winning Team USA team at the 2017 U-20 IIHF World Junior Championship. Cecconi was awarded the Vic Heyliger Award as Michigan's most outstanding defenseman.

Luce appeared in 27 games during his freshman season, recording his first collegiate goal vs Michigan State on Feb. 11. Prior to arriving at Michigan, the Williamsville, New York, native played with the United States National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan, where he served as alternate captain for the Stars and Stripes.

Slaker had a breakout freshman campaign during which he led the Wolverines with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 2016-17. The San Diego, California, native received the Doc Losh Trophy as the team's scoring leader, while also being named Rookie of the Year by the University of Michigan Athletic Department at the Student-Athlete Recognition Celebration.