The calendar says it’s fall. And for MagnessMayhem.com fall means one thing – Denver’s hockey season is drawing close.

One of the first orders of business for the Pioneers, whose 30-win campaign of 2022-23 was unceremoniously ended by back-to-back shutouts, is to formalize its leadership group.

With that in mind, here are five players Magness Mayhem has identified as possible captains or assistants.

(The program announced McKade Webster as captain, and Connor Caponi, Carter King and Massimo Rizzo as assistants on Oct. 2)

5 possible DU hockey captains

Jr. Sean Behrens

A 2021 Colorado Avalanche draft choice, Sean Behrens should be one of the top returning defensemen in Division I hockey. He already has 50 points in his DU career. He has been a top-pair defender since his first game for the Pioneers and excels in every situation.

Behrens is enjoyable to interview after practices and games and is at ease in media contexts. He is a preseason All-NCHC pick after being an honorable mention last season and an All-Rookie Team pick two years ago. Behrens, who earned multiple NCHC academic accolades as well, accompanied coach David Carle to the NCHC’s media festivities in Saint Paul, Minn., last week. He wore letters for various USA Hockey tournament teams.

Sr. Connor Caponi (selected assistant captain)

If fan voting were held to pick a captain, I have a feeling Connor Caponi would win in a landslide. He’s as straightforward and direct off the ice as he is on it.

Caponi is a tone-setter for the Pioneers, a role he relishes. He plays every game (he’s missed just one 0f 100 in three years) and he plays hard every shift. Caponi also is a three-time NCHC Academic All-Conference pick.

Denver center Carter King. Photo courtesy of Jamie Schwaberow / Clarkson Creative via Denver Athletics

Jr. Carter King (assistant)

Center Carter King doesn’t draw a lot of attention but he produces, as his 23 points last season attest. King is strong defensively and can play in any situation and anywhere in the lineup. He is one of the Pioneers’ hardest workers and is beloved by his teammates, who speak of the humble Calgarian in reverent tones.

If awards mean anything, King is a shoo-in. Teammates voted him the Pioneers’ most-improved player in 2021-22, a season he also captured DU’s most sportsmanlike player honor. Last season, he was named their top scholar-athlete. He’s a three-time AHCA All-American Scholar.

Jr. Massimo Rizzo (assistant)

It’s easy to look at center Massimo Rizzo and think “points machine.” After all, the 2019 Carolina Hurricanes draft pick had 82 through two seasons and led the NCHC with 31 in 24 games last season. He’s been a top-six center since Day 1.

Rizzo is much more than that. Beyond his elite playmaking skills, he’s also a tremendous skater who is rounding out his game. Remember, he lost his last junior season due to Covid, so his 36-point freshman season came after a year off the ice, which is a testament to his work ethic.

Rizzo is polished in dealing with the media, as one would expect from a two-time NCHC Academic All-Conference pick. He was a finalist for the NCHC Forward of the Year last season and Rookie of the Year in 2022. Rizzo was a Hobey Baker nominee in 2022-23 and will be squarely in that conversation this season. He captained his junior team in Penticton (BCHL).

Sr. McKade Webster (captain)

McKade Webster is the only member of this list who wore a letter for the Pioneers last season when he was an assistant to Justin Lee. Webster also was a captain in juniors.

The 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick has been a consistent contributor in all three of his seasons. He dealt with injuries in 2022-23 but still managed 14 points. He played on both special teams, and along with Caponi brought some sandpaper to the lineup.

Webster also has been an AHCA All-American Scholar and has garnered four NCHC academic awards. He’s also extremely engaging and checks many of the requisite captain boxes.

©First Line Editorial 2023