“Our program is looking forward to Brendan, Vince, Rich and Mac leading our locker room this season,” Mearns said. “They have all shown this fall that they are committed leaders on and off the field and have 100 percent bought into what it takes to be successful. I am extremely confident going forward that these senior leaders have our program headed in the right direction and will help us get better every day.”

The team's long-stick midfielder, Barren has appeared in 40 games during his collegiate tenure with the Griffs. He has collected 34 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers in his career to go along with one assist on the offensive end. The Buffalo native is also a two-time selection to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

One of the team's top offensive weapons in his first three seasons, Gravino has accumulated 79 points, 55 goals and 24 assists during his Golden Griffin career. From Westlake, Ohio, Gravino was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team in 2013 and set career highs with 32 points as a sophomore (21g, 11a).

An anchor on the defense, Stapleton has played 43 career games with 37 starting assignments. He was a key contributor to the MAAC's top scoring defense in 2014 and has totaled 46 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers during his career. The Rome, New York native joined Gravino on the MAAC All-Rookie Team in 2013.

A redshirt senior, Tomkinson is coming off his first season as a starter on the back line. In 38 career games and eight starting assignments, the Phelpston, Ontario native has collected 13 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers, including a career-best six caused turnovers last season.

The four are set to oversee a team that returns 21 letterwinners and four starters from a Canisius squad that finished 3-12 last season and 2-4 in conference play.