BOSTON – Suffolk men's hockey head coach Chris Glionna has unveiled that Joe Feeney and Billy Roche will don "C" on their jerseys for their final campaigns in blue-and-gold with the seniors sharing the Rams' captain role for the 2021-22 season.
The pair takes the post after serving as assistant captains a year ago.
The two skaters continue a long tradition of Suffolk men's hockey captains dating back when the program picked up after a hiatus in 1980-81 when James Tropsa led the blue-and-gold. With the addition of this season's ringleaders, over 70 Rams have worn a letter at Suffolk University in the last 44 seasons.
"Last year Billy (Roche) and Joe (Feeney) got to learn under Joe Vingi '20, who was a two-year captain with us," Glionna said. "They know the standard that we expect for our team and they will do a great job making sure everyone is onboard with the Suffolk way."
Feeney, a Foxboro, Massachusetts, native, has controlled the face-off dot over the last three years with the forward appearing in all, but one game. He has contributed four goals and nine set-ups to the Rams' offense on the ice.
Roche has held down the blue line. The Braintree, Massachusetts, product has produced 14 points in three campaigns, which included a standout sophomore season that featured three goals and five helpers. Overall, he has five markers and nine handouts to his credit.
The pair has not only led athletically, but has shone their teammates the true definition of a student-athlete with multiple academic accolades between the pair. Both Feeney and Roche, each finance majors, have received three Krampade All-American Scholar honors as well as all-conference academic team recognition by both the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and New England Hockey Conference (NEHC).
Roche and Feeney will guide Suffolk's 30-player roster comprised of 11 newcomers, nine true rookies, and 19 returners back into the CCC after a COVID cancelled campaign a year ago and two years in the NEHC prior to that. In last year's shortened season, the team went 1-1 against CCC counterparts.
Ram Nation will have to wait an extra week to see the men's hockey team in action this year after having the scheduled 2021-22 season opener against Franklin Pierce, on tap for Friday, Oct. 29, postponed. Now, Suffolk will drop the puck on its schedule Friday, Nov. 5 against Wentworth at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink at 7 p.m.