Engineers Announce Captains for 2008-09

TROY, N.Y. -– Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head coach John Burke has named seniors Melissa Boik and Nicole McDonald as co-captains of the Engineers for the 2008-09 season. In addition, junior Laura Gersten was tabbed as the lone assistant captain. All three are in their first season as captains.

"I am excited and proud to announce that Melissa Boik, Nicole McDonald and Laura Gersten will serve as the co-captains and assistant captain, respectively, this season,” said Burke, who will enter his sixth season at the helm. “All three have tremendous leadership abilities and have represented the program admirably both on and off the ice. We fully expect that to continue in 2008-09.”

Boik, a defenseman, played in all 33 games in 2007-08, tallying three goals and nine assists for 12 points. The Allen Park, Mich., native was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and was an ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection at the season’s end. She led a core that finished 12th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 2.21 goals per game. A former standout for the Michigan Capitals, she now has 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists) in 93 career games.

A forward out of Ottawa, Ont., McDonald has been among the team’s leading scorers in each of the past three seasons. Last year as a junior she was first in goals with 10 and fourth in points with 15 while playing in 32 games. Two of her goals came on the power play and one was a game-winner. In 89 career games, McDonald has 34 goals and 22 assists for 56 points. The former Ottawa Raiders standout is a multiple ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection.

Gersten, who hails from Queensbury, N.Y., appeared in all 33 games last season, tallying 16 points on five goals and 11 assists. A defenseman, she was third on the team in scoring in 2007-08 and ranked 10th among the ECAC Hockey blueliners with 0.48 points per game. The former Troy-Albany Ice Cats standout, who has posted 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 67 career games, was the team’s Most Valuable Player in her rookie season and is also a multiple league All-Academic selection.

Rensselaer was 13-15-5 overall and 6-12-4 in 2007-08, its second season as a member of ECAC Hockey. The Engineers open their 2008-09 campaign on September 26 with an exhibition contest against the Toronto Aeros at the Houston Field House (7pm). RPI then hosts the Stoney Creek Sabres the following day (4pm). Both games are free and open to the public.