Meet the 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Captains

On Sept. 11 the Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s hockey team announced who will serve as their captains for the upcoming season; a distinguished honor for individuals who demonstrate leadership behavior and qualities. Fifth-year senior, Josh Groll was chosen as captain along with seniors Jordan Power, Zach Krajnik and junior Mason Wheeler as alternate captains. 

“The group has got character up and down. They care about each other, they love each other, take care of one another and they work their tail off for one another,”  said head coach Luke Strand when describing this year’s captains. 

Strand and his staff held a voting process with the team to decide the captains. “The guys have a right to voice their opinion. They want leaders in that locker room and it came up very unanimous for Groll,” said Strand.

Since joining the Mavericks in 2021, the fifth-year wing has exemplified the meaning of hard work and leadership. Last year, Groll earned the Vets Club Hardest Worker Team Award. 

“His behavior and the way he goes about his day is easy to follow,” says Strand. 

“It means a lot to me, and it means a lot that my teammates look up to me in that way, and that I can contribute to this program in that way,” said Groll.

In addition to Groll, defenseman Mason Wheeler has also led by example. Despite being a junior, this is Wheeler’s second consecutive year being named an alternate captain. Wheeler has been a top-line defenseman and led the team with 51 blocked shots last year.

“It means a lot. I don’t want to leave that lightly, but a letter only means so much. There’s a group of guys in there (locker room) that are all leaders,” said Wheeler. 

For senior forward Zach Krajnik, being named a captain came as a surprise. 

“It’s not something that I expected, but it’s an honor when looking at the past captains here and what they’ve been able to do for the program,” said Krajnik. 

The Alaskan native expressed his gratitude for former captain Wyatt Aamodt, crediting Aamodt with teaching him what it means to be a leader.

Senior defenseman Jordan Power spent three years at Clarkson University before joining the Mavericks in 2023. Last year he made a difference on both sides of the puck, posting seven points and blocking 35 shots.

As a senior and captain this year, Power has his eyes on a championship. 

“A lot of guys are on their last kick of the can as seniors here. I think we have a mature group with some good young guys coming in that can get it done,” Power said.

Losing last year’s leading scorer, along with new faces will pose a challenge for the Mavericks this year. For the captains, assimilating the new faces has been a top priority. 

“We have some youth on our team, and we’re just trying to get everyone on the same boat, and we’ve done a really good job,” said Groll.

The Mavericks will start their season on Oct. 4-5  with a tough road matchup against Michigan, followed by three home series against Merrimack College, North Dakota, and Omaha. 

“Taking it day by day and stacking those wins every single day will allow us to be on top of that mountain at the end of the year,” said Power.

Photo caption: From left to right, Mason Wheeler, Jordan Power, Josh Groll and Zach Krajnik have been chosen as the 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Captains. (Matt Miller/The Reporter)

Write to joseph.waldorf@mnsu.edu