BOSTON – Fresh off her performance in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) bubble, head coach Taylor Wasylk has announced the inaugural Suffolk women's hockey captains. Shana Cote and Madison Duff will share captain responsibilities, while Payton Dockus and Julia Volpe round out the leadership contingent as assistant captains.
The foursome is the first leadership group for the Rams in the program's three-year old history.
"I could not be more excited to announce this group as our first captains in program history," Wasylk said. "They all bring something different to the table and together they will make an incredible leadership team for our players."
Each has been an integral part to Suffolk's early-on success, which includes a pair of playoff berths, highlighted by a championship contest run a year ago, and two double-digit win seasons.
Individually, Duff is the lone blue liner in the group. The Novi, Michigan, native has skated in all 54 of the Rams' contests and has recorded 21 points behind two goals and 19 assists. As a rookie, the accounting major, picked up a spot on the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) second team and rookie team.
"Madison is a great team player who always shows up with a positive attitude, leads by example, and can frequently be seen going up and down the bench energizing her teammates," Wasylk commented.
Cote, Dockus and Volpe, meanwhile, have been offensive zone threats.
In back-to-back seasons Cote ranked in the top numbers in Suffolk's scoring. As a rookie she led the way in assists (17) and upstaged that as the leading scorer (11 goals) last season. In two years on the ice with the Rams, the Broomfield, Colorado product has assembled a 45-point stat line with 19 markers and 26 helpers. For her performances on the ice, she has a decorated award resume that includes NEHC Rookie of the Year, two All-NEHC Third-Team nods and a NEHC All-Rookie Team recognition.
"Shana is a quieter leader who leads by example on the ice, in the weight room, and in the classroom; she always delivers when the team needs a big goal or a great penalty kill to get us going," said Wasylk.
Volpe, who hails from Littleton, Colorado, has seen action in 36 games over two campaigns, in each of which she potted a pair of pucks. Her offensive output is more in the set-up nature, with eight helpers for 12 points.
"Julia is a phenomenal teammate and one of the most positive players I have ever coached," Wasylk said. "She never thinks of herself and is always inspiring her teammates to be the best they can be. Nothing gets the team more energized than seeing Julia lay out for a shot block on the penalty kill."
Dockus fills the role that is needed of her and played more as a defensive forward as a sophomore. The St. Clair Shores, Michigan native registered 12 points as a freshman behind eight goals and four assists over 26 games. Last season, she spent most of her time on the blue line, but still managed to dish out four assists.
"Payton brings a little bit of everything to the table as she has a great work ethic, positive attitude and always demands more of herself and her teammates," said Wasylk. "She plays any position we ask of her without question and is always a positive voice on the bench and in the locker room."
Wasylk continued, "We are very lucky to have such an incredible group of captains heading into our third season and I cannot wait to see how our team grows under their leadership."
That third season has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and despite not being able to conduct a conference schedule with the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) canceling league competition, the Rams will have the opportunity to play against out of conference foes.