Aug. 26, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State head coach Rick Comley announced his captains for the 2004-05 season as senior forward Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) will serve as the team captain for the second-straight year. Joining Slater as assistant captains are: senior forward Adam Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.), junior defenseman Jared Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.) and sophomore forward Drew Miller (East Lansing, Mich.). "I'm very excited about our captains for this season," said Comley. "They have demonstrated leadership qualities, both on and off the ice; while earning the respect of their teammates and the coaching staff." Slater will become just the fifth Spartan to wear the "C" for two-straight years in 2004-05. Slater sits in some pretty good company as Tyler Harlton was the last Spartan to wear the "C" for two seasons (1997 and 1998). Don McSween (1986 and 1987), Mark Hamway (1982 and 1983), Bob Jasson (1956 and 1957) and Bill Blair (1950 and 1951) are the only other Spartans to be multiple-year captains. "Jim is the epitome of what I look for in a captain," said Comley. "Your captain has to be able to be a good player and lead by example. Jim brings his best to the rink every day. "He has demonstrated these attributes each and every day with his strong work ethic both on and off the ice, in the classroom and community service projects. He has always done whatever is asked of him and even more." "It's a great honor and one of the biggest honors a player can get," said Slater. "I want to be an even better captain this year. Last year, I really learned a lot about myself, both on and off the ice. You learn how to deal with different situations in different ways. "I'm not the most vocal person, but I have learned how to be. The greatest thing that I learned is that the team comes first. I believe that we have a great group of captains this year." Slater, who also served as an assistant captain in 2002-03, was a Hobey Baker Finalist and an All-America Second-Team honoree in 2003-04. He led MSU, tied for first in the CCHA overall scoring race and tied for 10th in the nation with 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists). In addition, he led the CCHA in plus/minus rating at +27. He earned All-CCHA First-Team honors for a second-straight year to become just the fourth Spartan to earn first-team all-league honors in back-to-back seasons. A three-time CCHA Offensive Player of the Week and the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for February, Slater became just the 61st player in MSU history to reach the century milestone with an assist vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 29). As a sophomore in 2002-03, Slater earned All-CCHA First-Team honors after finishing third on the Spartans and eighth in the CCHA in scoring with 18-26-44 totals one year ago. His 18 goals ranked second on the squad while his 26 assists were third. Slater earned CCHA All-Rookie honors in 2001-02 after leading all Spartan rookies in points with 11-21--32 totals in 37 games. He ranked second in the CCHA and fifth in the nation in points per game among rookies. He opened his freshman campaign scoring the game-tying goal with 47 seconds left in regulation in MSU's 3-3 overtime draw vs. Michigan at Spartan Stadium (Oct. 6, 2001). A first-round draft choice (No. 30 overall) of the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Slater enters the 2004-05 season with 124 career points (48 goals, 76 assists) in 116 career contests. Adam Nightingale enters his second season as an assistant captain. The senior forward played in 36 games in 2003-04, posting nine goals, including three game winners, and seven assists for 16 points. He tallied his first goal as a Spartan with the game-winning tally at Ferris State (Nov. 1). He earned MSU's Fitness Award, which is given to the player whose combined preseason test score ranks the best among his teammates. The players are put through a series of nine tests for strength, dryland conditioning (VO2 and sprint test) and three different on-ice speed/agility tests.

Adam Nightingale will serve as an assistant captain for a second-straight year.

"It feels great, especially on this team," said Adam Nightingale. "The opportunity to represent a great group of guys - that is a pretty unique opportunity. I really learned a lot last year, especially since it was my first year in the line-up at MSU. Getting to know the guys better and the routine (game day and practice) will really help me this year to be a better captain." Nightingale, who sat out the 2002-03 season after transferring from Lake Superior State, played for the Soo Indians of the North American Hockey League where he served as team captain in 1999-2000 and as an assistant captain in 1998-99. Jared Nightingale, who also served as an assistant captain in 2003-04 as a sophomore, was one of six Spartans to play in all 42 games. He tallied eight assists, including a career-best two in a 4-4 overtime tie vs. Michigan (March 5). He also set up Adam Nightingale's game-winning tally in a 3-1 victory over Notre Dame (Nov. 7).

Jared Nightingale enters his second season as an assistant captain with the hockey team.

"It's an unbelievable honor and a thrill to have an `A'," remarked Jared Nightingale. "I want to be a good example to the younger guys. When I first got an A on my jersey last year, I was nervous. To be put in a leadership role is unbelievable - guys really look up to you." As a freshman in 2002-03, he played in 38 games, posting one goal and three assists for four points. He tallied his first career point with an assist vs. Lake Superior State (Oct. 24) and scored his first career goal at Lake Superior State (Jan. 4). Entering the 2004-05 season, he has appeared in 79 career contests with 1-11--12 totals. Prior to his arrival at MSU, Jared spent two years (2000-02) with the Soo Indians of the North American Hockey League. He was voted the team captain and the most dedicated in 2001-02. Miller, a sophomore forward, appeared in 41 games, registering four goals and six assists for 10 points in 2003-04. A penalty-kill specialist, he picked up his first points of the season with a pair of assists vs. Michigan Tech (Dec. 27) and scored his first collegiate goal against Northern Michigan (Jan. 2). He scored the game-winning maker and added an assist in a 5-3 victory over Ferris State (March 13) en route to No. 1 star of the game honors.

Forward Drew Miller will serve as an assistant hockey captain in 2004-05.

"I was really excited when coach told me," said Miller when he found out about his selection. "I didn't really expect it. I'm looking forward to the opportunity, and I do believe that we have a chance to be a good team this year. I'm excited that the coaches have put faith in me (as a sophomore)." Prior to arriving at MSU, Miller played for the River City Lancers of the United States Hockey League in 2002-03, where he tallied 29 goals and 24 assists for 53 points in 71 games. He also skated with the Capital Centre Pride of the North American Hockey League from 2000-02. He was selected by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the sixth round (No. 186) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Miller is the 10th member of his family to play for the Spartans. Miller's father (Dean, 1978-79); grandfather (Butch, 1956, '59); brother (Ryan, 2000-02); and uncle (Lyle, 1964) all lettered for the Spartans, as did cousins Kip (1987-90), Kevin (1985-88) and Kelly (1982-85) Miller; and Curtis (1996-99) and Taylor (1996) Gemmel. Michigan State opens the 2004-05 season with the annual Green and White intra-squad game on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7:05 p.m., at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans will face Toronto in an exhibition contest on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 2:05 p.m., before opening the regular season with non-conference foes St. Lawrence and New Hampshire. St. Lawrence invades Munn Ice Arena on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7:35 p.m., while New Hampshire and the Spartans will face-off on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2:05 p.m.

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