Just before the NCAA men’s hockey game on Saturday, Oct. 27 versus Air Force, head coach Derek Schooley announced that senior forward, Zach Hervato will serve as an assistant captain on the road, while junior forward, Colin South will serve in that role at home.

Hervato and South join captain Brendan Jamison, and assistant captain Tyler Hinds as leaders of the 2012-2013 Colonials.

“I was obviously very, very happy.  I’ve always wanted to contribute on the leadership side of things here especially as a senior,” said Hervato.   “When Coach Schooley told me, I was happy but quite humbled knowing I will be serving as a leader with guys like Brendan Jamison, Tyler Hinds and Colin South too.”

South was also humbled by his newfound leadership role, but he was also surprised by the announcement.

“I was extremely honored and kind of surprised at the same time.  I’ve never really been a captain before except for high school hockey,” said South.  “I was really honored and excited at the same time, and I really can’t put into words how excited and honored I was.”

For South, the honor means even more because he grew up in nearby Sewickley, PA.  ““I only live about five minutes away from here, so every single night I have a lot of friends and family in the stands watching me wear the ‘A’ so it’s as special for them as it is for me,” said South.

Both Hervato and South will have various roles as an assistant captain on the team.

“I have to be the guy that sort of guides the freshmen and lets them know how hard it is to play on the road, and I’ll be making sure they to bed and making sure they fuel up and just playing out my role,” said Hervato.  “It’s all about being a leader on and off the ice.”

According to South, he still wants to play as well as he can, but he also wants to prove that he can be more vocal.

“I just want to play as well as I can and lead as best as I can.  Most guys know me as being more on the quiet side,” explained South.  This will be a good opportunity for me to try to be more vocal, and to show the guys what we expect of them.”

Up next for the Colonials will be a two game series with Bentley, Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3.  Both games will start at 7:05 and this will also be the men’s cancer awareness weekend.