Michigan State University Athletics
Ebbing and Holland Added as Assistant Captains
10/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING - Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos announced Tuesday (Oct. 11) that seniors Rhett Holland and Thomas Ebbing have been added as assistant captains for the 2016-17 season.
"They have earned the respect of their teammates and demonstrated a level of influence and standard their teammates embrace," Anastos said at Tuesday's weekly press conference. "We feel it's the right move to round out our captains group."
Ebbing has appeared in every game during his three years with the Spartans. Last season, the native of Troy put up a career-best 19 points (5g, 14a) and was voted the winner of the team's Most Improved Player award. A two-way center that has been one of the Spartans' best penalty killers during his career, Ebbing recorded 59 blocked shots last year, ranking fourth among all forwards nationally.
"It's an honor," Ebbing said. "The past three years I have had great leaders to look up to in Greg Wolfe, Michael Ferrantino and obviously now Joe Cox; I want to be a helping hand for him. It's a tremendous honor and I want to help lead in any way I can."
Holland is the team's most experienced defensemen coming into 2016-17, having appeared in 106 games. The native of Calgary, Alberta, has been the winner of the team's Spartan Fitness Award each of the last three seasons. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman has 11-career points.
"It's an incredible honor," Holland said. "I know my teammates had a lot of impact on me becoming an assistant, so it's a great honor to have them chose you as a leader. I couldn't be more honored and I'm excited for the season to get going."
Michigan State begins the regular season this weekend when it travels to Lake Superior State for a two-game weekend series, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m.
