Jim Slater Named 2003-04 Spartan Hockey Captain
9/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Sept. 10, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State junior forward Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) has been named the 2003-04 Spartan hockey captain by head coach Rick Comley.
"Jim is the epitome of what I look for in a captain," said Comley. "He has all the attributes that are important to excel at hockey - 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.
"Your captain has to be able to be a good player and lead by example. Jim brings his best to the rink every day."
Slater, who served as an assistant captain in 2002-03, 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.
A first-round draft choice of the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Slater became the first Spartan since 1996 to register five points in a game (one goal, four assists) in a 7-0 shutout of Nebraska-Omaha (Jan. 24). He closed the season with seven points (five goals, two assists) over his final four games, including his first career hat trick in an 8-5 victory over Western Michigan (March 8).
"This is a tremendous honor for me and one of the biggest honors that a player can have," said Slater. "It's especially great to be able to lead a team like this and have the trust and respect from your coach."
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). Prior to his arrival at MSU, Slater spent three seasons with the Cleveland Barons of the North American Hockey League.
Joining Slater as assistant captains for the 2003-04 season are junior forward Adam Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.), junior forward Mike Lalonde (Chetwynd, B.C.) and senior defenseman Joe Markusen (Park River, N.D.). Comley named the team's assistant captains, which included Slater, in April 2003.
Michigan State opens the 2003-04 season with the annual Green and White game on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans will face Windsor in an exhibition contest on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m., before opening the regular season with the Ice Breaker Tournament Oct. 10-11. The Spartans take on Findlay on Oct. 10, before facing either Boston College or Minnesota-Duluth on Oct. 11.
