Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University men's hockey announces junior Alex Bontje has been named captain for the 2017-18 season. The defenseman served as alternate captain during his junior season and will captain the Colonials his senior year. Alternate captains will be named in the fall.

"We are pleased to name Alex Bontje as our captain for the 2017-18 season," said head coach Derek Schooley. "Alex was a part of a tremendous leadership group last year and we have no doubt that he will use his experience to lead this group in the right direction."

Bontje has played in 113 games for Robert Morris, scoring four goals and adding 23 assists for a career total 27 points. The Nobleton, Ontario native has a plus-49 rating and has been a member of the Colonials top penalty kill unit. Bontje blocked 61 shots last season and has 173 total blocks in three seasons.

Bontje is a leader in the classroom as well, pursuing an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting, maintaining a 3.88 GPA. The junior will take home his third consecutive Atlantic Hockey all-academic team honors at the end of this season.

"It's an honor," said Bontje. "I've had the privilege of having three great captains the past three years I've been here (Cody Wydo '15, Tyson Wilson '16, Rob Mann '17), and I'm really looking forward to picking up where we left off last year."



Robert Morris (22-12-4) wrapped up the 2016-17 campaign with its fourth 20-plus win season, each coming in the last five years. The Colonials finished as Atlantic Hockey conference runners-up after a hard-fought 2-1 loss in the tournament championship game, the school's third appearance in the title game in the last four seasons.

"I think the guys here are excited to get back after it," said the junior defenseman. "Last year didn't end the way we wanted it to but I think everyone is looking forward to getting back, after putting in a hard summer and going right back to work."

"You can tell everyone wants to get better, everyone wants to get stronger," said Bontje. "I think that says a lot about this team and what we want to do next year and how we want to come back."

"We have an outstanding group of seniors and young men that will continue to build a 'family' culture as we prepare for next season," Schooley remarked.

Bontje is one of six active returners on defense, with 13 forwards and two goaltenders who saw game time last season returning as well. Additionally, last season's additions of forward Michael Louria and defenseman Nick Jenny will bolster that group along with the incoming class. The Colonials return 80-percent of the team's offense including the NCAA's top scoring returner, forward Brady Ferguson. Ferguson is one of three all-conference selections back on the ice for RMU next season, along with third team defenseman, sophomore Eric Israel, and all-rookie goaltender Francis Marotte.

"It's definitely different next year, bringing fewer guys in," Bontje said. "Last year, this team did a good job of having a team-first mentality and sticking together like a family. I think as long as we continue that next year, we'll be okay."
 

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