2005-06 Laker hockey captains aren't afraid to start new traditions

By LINDSEY MECHALIK, LSSU Sports Information Student Intern Senior captain Steve McJannet and senior assistant captains Nathan Ward, Jon Booras, and Ren Fauci aren't afraid to start new traditions as Laker hockey enters its 40th year. "We are starting to do things differently than we have done in the past," McJannet said about changes his team has made this year. "Our salute to the crowd after the games has been different and is something that we came up with. We helped change around the locker room to make it feel more like a locker room and not an office building. We were trying to create more atmosphere." McJannet hopes that his senior class will set a good example for this year's freshman class. "We have worked so hard for three years and it shows," McJannet said. "The freshman coming in saw the shape that we were in. They know when they come back as sophomores what will be expected of them. They know they have to work hard in the summers in order to come back and get better and better each year." McJannet is happy with the way the season is starting out, especially after his team's weekend sweep of Robert Morris - the Lakers' second series sweep of the season and first home sweep since October, 2002. "This year is going really well so far," McJannet said prior to the Lakers' victories over Alaska Fairbanks for their second straight home sweep. "There is a lot of positive energy around the rink this year from the coaches on down. It is showing among the players on and off the ice. It was nice to sweep this weekend. We set a goal to win the next four games. We are more concerned with trying to sweep in conference games. Big conference wins are going to mean a lot." McJannet's focus as captain is "doing the right thing at the important moments. On the ice I try to be working hard all of the time. I try and go hard every shift during games. I think things like that rub off on other guys. The only other duties are making sure things are done around the locker room, and that the guys know where they are supposed to be and when, and are on time." McJannet is looking forward to the rest of the season and has noticed a positive change in his team this year. "I want to see us get better and better and gain momentum towards playoffs," McJannet said. "Guys this year aren't afraid to be themselves. Each guy is bringing in something different. The positive energy has really helped." For him, being named captain is one of McJannet's greatest achievements. "My highlight has been being named captain of the team," McJannet said. "I never thought that would ever happen. As a freshman, I came in not knowing where I would go. I hardly played at all at first. I played once in a while for half of my freshman year. It has been a privilege to be named captain this year. When you look at the past captains, it is great to follow in their footsteps." McJannet appreciates the continued support of past Laker hockey teams. "It is great to see some of the past Laker players still giving their support to the team," McJannet said. "It is great to see guys around like Dean Dixon and Doug Laprade. We have a lot of guys who still come up to watch games. Dean Dixon drove to Kalamazoo to come to our practices while we were there. You know playing Laker hockey meant a lot to them and still does. They are still following us and still love Laker hockey. Things like that rub off on the rest of the team." McJannet is part of the largest incoming freshman class of Laker hockey. It started with 15 players, and 12 are still here. "It is awesome to be part of such a large senior class," McJannet said. "I have 12 great friendships in the seniors. I will have friends from all over North America. At the end of the year we are going to go on a senior trip to Mexico or someplace like that."