BUFFALO – Rising senior Ryan Schmelzer has been named captain of the Canisius hockey team for the 2017-18 season, head coach Trevor Large announced Tuesday.

A native of Buffalo, Schmelzer has appeared in 111 games during his first three seasons with the Golden Griffins, amassing 27 goals and 49 assists for 76 points.

"We are excited to name Ryan our captain for the 2017-18 season," Large said. "I believe Ryan displays all the characteristics needed to successfully lead our program.  His discipline, commitment and integrity to all members of our program will drive next year's team.  His pride for Canisius is contagious."

Schmelzer served as an alternate captain for Canisius during the 2016-17 season, earning All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team honors after ranking second on the team in both assists (18) and points (30) and third in goals (12). He led Canisius and was tied for ninth nationally with five game-winning goals, all of which came during the Griffs' school-record 17-game unbeaten streak.

The 2016-17 Atlantic Hockey Best Defensive Forward honoree also paced Canisius with a plus/minus rating of +16 and finished 21st among all forwards nationally in faceoffs won (410). Schmelzer also contributed to the team's success while shorthanded, serving as regular member of a penalty-kill unit that ranked first in Atlantic Hockey and third among all Division I programs with an 87.2% success rate.

"I am excited to be selected as captain for this upcoming season," Schmelzer said. "Looking back at the previous captains, as well as what the Canisius hockey program stands for, this is truly a humbling and special honor."

Canisius (21-11-7) enjoyed an outstanding 2016-17 season that culminated in the program capturing its first Atlantic Hockey Conference regular season title. The Griffs matched the school mark for wins in a campaign and advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic Hockey Conference Tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Canisius also entered the national rankings for the first time in four seasons, earning the No. 20 spot in the USCHO.com poll for one week in March.