Owen Michaels: New captain of the WMU hockey team for the 2025-26 season!

Owen Michaels: New captain of the WMU hockey team for the 2025-26 season!

On September 22, 2025, the Western Michigan University ice hockey program announced that Owen Michaels was named captain for the 2025-26 season. Michaels, a talented striker, is already in his third year of study and has earned an important place in the team through his outstanding performances. Last season, 2024-25, he scored 36 points, including 18 goals and 18 assists, and led the team to its first national championship in program history. In a memorable game, he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime against Denver in the national semifinals of the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, surpassing himself. In the championship game against Boston University, he scored two goals for the decisive victory and was named Most Outstanding Player. His impressive performances last season highlighted him not only as a player but also as a leader, leading to his selection as captain.

The decision to name Michaels captain was welcomed by the team and coaches. In addition to Michaels, Cole Crusberg-Roseen, Samuel Sjolund and Grant Slukynsky were selected as assistant captains. Crusberg-Roseen also had a breakout season in his sophomore season, scoring 12 points with 3 goals and 9 assists and leading the team with 62 blocked shots. Sjolund, the top returning defenseman, finished last season with 29 points, including four goals and 25 assists, and was a finalist for the NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year award. Slukynsky, a sophomore, contributed 36 points and stood out with key goals, including in double overtime against Minnesota State.

Player profiles and statistics

Owen Michaels, born May 1, 2002, has established himself as a key player since entering the NCAA in the 2023-24 season. After a modest freshman season in which he recorded just two goals and five assists in 38 games, his career took off the following year. He has now amassed 43 points in a total of 80 games, with an impressive 54.5% face-off percentage, two power play goals and two game-winning goals. His plus/minus rating is +33, highlighting his significant role on defense.

The challenges ahead begin on October 4th when the Western Michigan Broncos start the new season with an exhibition game against the USNTDP at Lawson Arena. The first regular season game is October 9th at home against Ferris State. With Michaels as captain and a strong team, expectations are high that the team can fight for the championship again.