GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine men's ice hockey eighth-year head coach Ed Harding is proud to announce his leadership group for the 2021-22 campaign with returners, senior defender Maverick Lynes (Sherwood Park, AB, Canada), junior forward Nick Ritmo (Niskayuna, NY) and senior forward Adam Withers (Kenora, ON, Canada) being chosen as captains for the second straight season.
 
"We have experienced captains leading this team and all three bring different qualities," said Harding. "I feel that I can lean on them and when I ask for something to get done, I don't have to ask a second time and I believe they also are reiterating my message in the locker room when I leave. I've asked them to work on the culture in the locker room and the teams' mentality."
 
Lynes, an english and communications major will don the "C" for the Huskies for the second time after being an assistant captain in 2019-20. In his last full season during 2019-20, Lynes appeared in all 27 games for the navy and gold totaling a team-high eight goals with seven assists for 15 points, the second-highest total on the squad, on the defensive side, he blocked 10 shots. Throughout his career, Lynes has competed in 81 games amassing eight goals, 18 assists, 26 points, and 26 blocked shots. In the classroom, Lynes was a 2020-21, 2019-20 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) All-Academic Team selection as well as a 2018 and 2019 William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete.
 
Ritmo is a junior education and history major and a three-year member of the Huskies. He will wear the "A" for the second consecutive season. During his last full campaign in 2019-20, Ritmo recorded one goal and one point while blocking two shots. This past spring, he was a first-time honoree on the NEHC All-Academic Team. Outside of the ice sheet, Ritmo was the Fish Philosophy "Choose Your Attitude Award" winner which is given to an RA who takes responsibility for how they react to what life throws at them and how their choices affect others. 
 
Withers, the second assistant captain (A), is a senior accounting major and will be a leader for the Huskies for the second time. In 2019-20, Withers paced the USM offense in points (22) and assists (16) while ranking third in goals (6). He had one game-winning goal, on December 7, 2019 at home against NEHC opponent Hobart College with 3:32 left in overtime. It was Withers second goal of the tilt. In the classroom, Withers is a two-time NEHC All-Academic Team selection and a one-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete. 
 
The Huskies will open their 2021-22 slate on Friday, November 5th with an NEHC contest at home against Hobart College with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. If you plan on attending, please read over the USM athletics spectator policy by clicking here.
 
Southern Maine Athletics has gone to fully digital game programs, please click this link to access the game programs to future Husky home events!