LOWELL, Mass. -- UMass Lowell Hockey Head Coach Norm Bazin announced today that senior defenseman Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wis.) will serve as Captain for the upcoming 2016-17 season, while senior forward Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) and junior defenseman Tyler Mueller (Regina, Sask.) will take on the role of alternate captains for the River Hawks.

Kapla served as co-captain last year along with A.J. White, while Gambardella will serve as an alternate captain for the second consecutive season.

"Mike has been a stellar player for us these past few years. He will be our lone captain after sharing the responsibility last season," said Bazin. "He has two capable assistant captains in Joe Gambardella and Tyler Mueller to help guide our team. These three complement each other and we look forward to seeing them pass on the culture through their leadership."

Kapla played in all 40 games for the River Hawks in his junior season, posting 20 points (4g,16a) with a +10 rating and was won the Best Defensive Player Award at the team's annual awards banquet. Gambardella was second on the team in scoring a career-high 37 points (10g,27a) and a team-best 17 plus/minus rating in his junior season and was honored as the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award winner by Hockey East last March. Mueller will serve as an alternate captain for the first time in his River Hawk career, after tallying six points (2g,4a) and a 10 plus/minus rating.

Kapla, Gambardella and Mueller were three of the five River Hawks that played in all 40 contests in 2015-16.

The No. 8 ranked River Hawks officially open their 50^th Anniversary Season on Friday, October 7^th against No. 6 ranked Minnesota-Duluth in non-conference play. Game time from the Tsongas Center is 7:15 p.m.

Tickets for all River Hawks home hockey games are on sale now. UMass Lowell students receive free admission by scanning their ID as part of the "River Hawk Rewards" campaign. Tickets can be purchased at the Tsongas Center Box Office, which is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the week. Fans can also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.

The UMass Lowell Athletic Department is also selling season, mini-pack and group tickets at this time. Packages can be purchased online at TsongasCenter.com or by contacting Christine Maurais (christine_maurais@uml.edu; 978-934-2181) or Ryan Leach (ryan_leach@uml.edu; 978-934-6280).