Head Coach Tavis MacMillan has decided senior center Jared Sylvestre will be the captain of the UAF hockey team for the second year in a row.

"He represents himself, our hockey program, our institution, and the community better than anyone I've ever met," MacMillan said.

"He's a great person and a great citizen, and he has passion about the game and passion about the UAF hockey program. He also has the general willingness to take care of his teammates and look out for their best interests."

Sylvestre was the co- captain last year, although he sat out 15 games due to a broken ankle suffered in the season opener.

The 5-foot-8, 160- pound center has had an outstanding career at UAF. He is among the top scorers among the Nanooks with a phenomenal 57 career points. He received the Keith Street Top Scorer Award his sophomore year when he led the team with 28 points in the season.

But the Alberta-native says hockey runs in his blood. "I really can't remember being introduced to hockey as I think I was born with skates on and a stick in my hand."

Hockey isn't everything for Sylvestre, however. The mechanical engineering major has been known to make the deans list and was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll. In spring 2001 and fall 2003 he made the coveted chancellor's list with a perfect GPA.

Last year's head coach Guy Gadowsky praised Sylvestre for his academic prowess.

"He knows his priorities," Gadowsky said. "He has very good time management skills. Making the All-Academic team with a mechanical engineering is impressive. He is a mature individual and that is a key part of success."

"Being a student-athlete has given me many uplifting challenges," Sylvestre said, "mostly on how to manage time properly, but it all to pay off. I am not what the future will after my time here, has been time well spent."

The coaches and fans all agree.

"He is a very intelligent person," Gadowsky said, "a very intelligent hockey and that makes him fun player to watch."

The Nanooks start off their season this Saturday with the blue/gold scrimmage. The exhibition game will be followed by a picnic sponsored by the Face Off club. In years past the Nanooks have been more than willing to share the ice with their fans, so bring your skates.

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