October 6, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Muskegon Lumberjacks Press Release
The Muskegon Lumberjacks have a captain, and he’s the same guy who temporarily wore the “C” on his jersey last weekend.
Veteran forward Owen Mehlenbacher, a third-year lumberjack, is now the official captain following a player vote earlier this week.
Forward David Hymovitch and defenseman Tyler Dunbar were named alternate captains.
Mehlenbacher, 18, broke out with the Lumberjacks in 2020-21, tallying 8 goals and 4 assists in 46 games. He had a stellar year last season, with 17 goals and 25 assists in 56 games. He has scored one goal so far this season in three games.
He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round of the National Hockey League draft last summer and will begin his college hockey career at the University of Wisconsin next season.
Mehlenbacher was a favorite to inherit the captaincy from Jack Williams, last year’s team manager, but coaches decided to wait a few weeks into the regular season to let the players figure out who would take on a role. leadership role.
The players clearly respect Mehlenbacher and wanted him to keep the “C” on his jersey, according to Lumberjacks head coach Mike Hamilton.
“Our captains are usually chosen by the team, and that was the team talking,” Hamilton said. “He’s the guy they want to take charge of, someone they think will do things the right way, on and off the ice. That’s a huge tip of the hat from the team to select.
“It’s Owen’s third year with us and he’s been through it all. He’s played under two different captains and seen their styles, and he’s grown as a person. He’s grown from a young guy who was in and out of the lineup to an NHL draft pick, and he has a lot to offer. It’s going to be exciting to see what he brings to the job.
Mehlenbacher, who has never been a team captain before, is excited about this new challenge.
“It’s great,” he said. “The last two seasons have taught me a lot. They gave me a good base to start with and helped me grow as a leader.”
Mehlenbacher said he watched and learned a lot from the previous two captains, Williams and Dylan Wendt (2020-21).
“I will try to follow what they have done and how they have served as role models for younger people,” he said.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board…
The views expressed in this release are those of the organization that issued it and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
