April 12, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Forward Will Engasser was named captain of the 2007-08 Yale Men's Hockey Team while other Bulldogs earned awards at tonight's team banquet.

Engasser, whose seven goals last winter were fourth on the team, was selected in the ninth round of the 2004 National Hockey League draft by the Phoenix Coyotes before coming to New Haven.

Engasser has three game-winning goals but none were as significant as the overtime tally (his second of the night) at Dartmouth in the 2005 ECAC Playoffs that sent the quarterfinal series to a third and final contest.

The new Bulldog leader had eight points in 25 games last year and brings 11 career goals and 14 points (64 games) into his final season.

"It is an honor to be named captain of the Yale hockey team. I have seen so many great captains during my three years here. Having the opportunity to follow in their footsteps makes it even more special. Many of my classmates would make great captains, and it will take everyone's leadership to propel our team to new heights," said Engasser, a Chanhassen, Minn., native who was a three-sport star and four-time captain at Blake School.

"All the Bulldogs plan to pay the price this summer with training that will help us take giant steps toward challenging for a league title. We return enough talent to make a quantum leap in the standings but need to become a more cohesive unit overall to make it a reality," said the new captain.

"Will is going to be a great captain. He brings a vocal presence to our locker room and bench, he is a caring and concerned teammate and he fully understands the commitment I expect from him as we work to take this team to the next level," said Keith Allain '80, Yale's Malcolm G. Chace Head Coach of Hockey.

In addition to announcing the new captain, the 2006-07 Yale team awards were handed out tonight. Sean Backman '10 was both the most valuable player (J. Murray Murdoch Award) and the most outstanding first-year player (Martin Dwyer III). Bill LeClerc '07 was the top defensive player (John Poinier Award), while classmate Matt Modelski won the morale and spirit award (Yale Hockey Coaches). Captain Matt Cohen '07 earned the sportsmanship award (Malcolm G. Chace) and Matt Nelson '08 received the honor for inspiration (David C. Noyes III). Freshman Tom Dignard was the recipient of the scholar-athlete award (Edward M. Wright, MD).