Feature: From the Captain's Chair

Team captains answer questions about hockey and more.

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Michigan Tech's Brett Engelhardt

Michigan Tech's Brett Engelhardt

Ice Hockey Home

HEADLINES
WCHA Issues One-Game Suspension to North Dakota's Frattin

Fantastic Field For 2010 Red Baron WCHA Final Five Features Five of Nation's Top 11-Ranked Teams in No. 1 Denver, No. 3 UW, No. 6 SCSU, No. 5 UND, No. 11 UMD

Field of Five Nationally-Ranked Teams, Top Playoff Seeds Set to Head to Saint Paul for This Week's 2010 Red Baron WCHA Final Five at Xcel Energy Center

RELATED LINKS
Follow all of the college ice hockey action at CollegeSports.com

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June 01, 2003

MATT SHASBY
University of Alaska Anchorage

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: Colorado College, because of the elevation
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Wisconsin
Favorite WCHA arena to play in: Mariucci Arena (UM)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: Wisconsin
"Toughest" fans: North Dakota
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Wisconsin
Favorite WCHA road trip: Wisconsin
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Tom Preissing, CC
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: North Dakota
Best WCHA team logo: Seawolves
Your college major: history
Favorite college class / subject: Geology
Favorite NHL player: Brian Leetch
Favorite NHL team: Montreal Canadiens
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: my first college home game
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: earning All-WCHA Second Team honors in 2001-02
Best book you've read: The Firm
Best movie you've seen: Jerry Maguire
Favorite all-time TV show: The Simpsons
Favorite all-time musical artist: Dave Matthews
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): rafting
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): tennis
Favorite food: steak & baked potato
Favorite color: blue
Ultimate vacation destination: Hawaii
Car you'd most like to own: Hummer 2
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: coach
What you're most thankful for: my family
Person you most admire: my dad
New Year's Resolution: spend more time with my family

TOM PREISSING
Colorado College

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: Denver, our biggest rival
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Denver
Favorite WCHA arena to play in: Mariucci Arena (UM)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: Minnesota & North Dakota
"Toughest" fans: North Dakota
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Minnesota, North Dakota
Favorite WCHA road trip: Wisconsin
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Paul Martin, D, UM
Best opposing WCHA forward: Grant Stevenson, F, MSU
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Paul Martin, UM
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Wisconsin
Best WCHA team logo: North Dakota
Your college major: Economics
Favorite college class / subject: Music in Western Culture
Favorite NHL player: Matt Cullen
Favorite NHL team: Minnesota North Stars
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: beating St. Lawrence, 3-2 (2 ot), in NCAAs
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: scoring four goals in third period to beat Denver as freshman
Best book you've read: The Count of Monte Cristo
Best movie you've seen: Field of Dreams
Favorite all-time TV show: Seinfeld
Favorite all-time musical artist: Rusted Root
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): reading, watching TV
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: steak
Ultimate vacation destination: Scotland
Car you'd most like to own:Aston Martin Vanquish
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: professional golfer
What you're most thankful for: the health of me and my teammates
Person you most admire: Jeff Stewart

AARON MACKENZIE
University of Denver

Toughest WCHA Team to play against & why: Colorado College, because of intense rivalry and great atmosphere in both rinks
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Colorado College
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Magness Arena (DU)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: St. Cloud State
"Toughest" fans: Wisconsin
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: St. Cloud State
Favorite WCHA road trip: Wisconsin
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Ryan Malone, F, SCSU
Best opposing WCHA forward: Ryan Malone, F, SCSU
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Matt Shasby, UAA
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Isaac Reichmuth, UMD
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Minnesota-Duluth
Best WCHA team logo: North Dakota
Your college major: Real Estate & Construction Management
Favorite college class / subject: Construction Practicum
Favorite NHL player: Danny Markov
Favorite NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Most memorable collegiate hockey game:
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: winning 2002 WCHA Final Five in St. Paul vs Minnesota
Best book you've read: Death on the Barrens
Best movie you've seen: Menace II Society
Favorite all-time TV show: Hockey Night in Canada
Favorite all-time musical artist: Tupac, Tragically Hip
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): travel, collecting hockey cards
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf, bocce ball, canoeing
Favorite food: Pierogies, Cabbage Rolls
Favorite color: blue
Ultimate vacation destination: Jamaica
Car you'd most like to own: Lexus IS 300
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: happy
What you're most thankful for: family, health and opportunities
Person you most admire: mom & dad
New Year's Resolution: be more optimistic

BRETT ENGELHARDT
Michigan Tech University

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: Colorado College, great team speed, tough defense, great goaltending
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Mariucci Arena
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: Wisconsin
"Toughest" fans: Wisconsin
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Michigan Tech
Favorite WCHA road trip: Wisconsin
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Tom Preissing, CC
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Wisconsin
Best WCHA team logo: North Dakota
Your college major: Finance
Favorite college class / subject: Finance
Favorite NHL player: Peter Forsberg
Favorite NHL team: Detroit Red Wings
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: winning at UND after their NCAA championship season
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: being selected to the WCHA All-Star Team in 2002
Best book you've read: Hometown Hero
Best movie you've seen: Good Will Hunting
Favorite all-time TV show: Sports Center
Favorite all-time musical artist: Eddie Vedder
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: chicken
Favorite color: blue
Ultimate vacation destination: Hawaii
Car you'd most like to own: 1969 Ford Mustang
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: play in the NHL
What you're most thankful for: my family & friends
Person you most admire: Tiger Woods
New Year's Resolution: to become a better friend and more well-rounded person

GRANT POTULNY
University of Minnesota

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: North Dakota, they play hard every game
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: North Dakota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Mariucci Arena
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: St. Cloud State
"Toughest" Fans: St. Cloud State
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Mariucci Arena
Favorite WCHA road trip: North Dakota
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Andy Schneider, UND
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Wisconsin
Best WCHA team logo: Alaska Anchorage
Your college major: Sports Management
Favorite college class / subject: Sports Psychology
Favorite NHL player: Mike Ricci
Favorite NHL team: Minnesota Wild
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: winning 2002 NCAA championship vs Maine
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: winning 2002 NCAA championship vs Maine
Best book you've read: Carrie
Best movie you've seen: Goodfellas
Favorite all-time TV show: Pardon the Interruption
Favorite all-time musical artist: Dave Matthews
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): Playstation 2
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: macaroni salad
Favorite color: maroon
Ultimate vacation destination: Bahamas
Car you'd most like to own: Porsche Cayenne
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: coach
What you're most thankful for: my family
Person you most admire: my dad
New Year's Resolution: don't believe in them

JON FRANCISCO
University of Minnesota-Duluth

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: North Dakota, fans
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: DECC (UMD)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: St. Cloud State
"Toughest" Fans: Wisconsin
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: North Dakota
Favorite WCHA road trip: Denver
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Tom Preissing, CC
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Jake Moreland, SCSU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: North Dakota
Best WCHA team logo: Minnesota-Duluth
Your college major: Graphic Design
Favorite college class / subject: 3-D Digital Design
Favorite NHL player: Mike Modano
Favorite NHL team: Minnesota Wild
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: my first game
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: playing college hockey
Best book you've read: Eleven Seconds
Best movie you've seen: Godfather Trilogy
Favorite all-time TV show: McGiver
Favorite all-time musical artist: Notorious Big
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): being lazy
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: pasta
Favorite color: blue
Ultimate vacation destination: Rome, Italy
Car you'd most like to own: Hummer
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: professional athlete
What you're most thankful for: every day
Person you most admire: Bridget Nading
New Year's Resolution: live every day like it's the last

B.J. ABEL
Minnesota State University

Toughest WCHA team to play & why: St. Cloud State. We finally beat SCSU for the first time since MSU has been D-1
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA arena to play in: Ralph Engelstad Arena (UND)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: St. Cloud State
"Toughest" fans: Wisconsin
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA road trip: Denver
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Wade Dubielewicz, G, DU
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Senja, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Paul Martin, UM
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA uniform: Wisconsin
Best WCHA logo: North Dakota
College major: Management Information Systems
Favorite class: Management
Favorite NHL player: Steve Yzerman
Favorite NHL team: Minnesota Wild
Most memorable collegiate game: my first league home game vs Denver
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: playing in MSU's first Final Five appearance
Best book you've read: OEOne Goal' ­ 1980 U.S. Olympic Team
Best movie you've seen: Braveheart
Favorite all-time TV show: NHL 2nite
Favorite all-time musical artist: Metallica
Favorite hobbies: reading
Favorite sport (outside of hockey): golf and fishing
Favorite food: walleye
Favorite color: black
Ultimate vacation destination: Lake Vermillion, MN
Car you'd most like to own: Hummer H2
If you could be anything after college: pro fisherman by day, pro hockey player by night
What you're thankful for: having opportunity to play in the top D-I league in the country
Person(s) you most admire: David and Mary Jo Abel (parents)

RYAN HALE
University of North Dakota

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: Minnesota State, they always us tough and they're a very hard-working team
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Ralph Engelstad Arena (UND)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: North Dakota
"Toughest" Fans: St. Cloud State
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Ralph Engelstad Arena (UND)
Favorite WCHA road trip: Colorado College
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Tom Preissing, CC
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Isaac Reichmuth, UMD
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Denver
Best WCHA team logo: North Dakota
Your college major: Communications
Favorite college class / subject: Public Relations
Favorite NHL player: Jeremy Roenick
Favorite NHL team: Colorado Avalanche
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: 2000 NCAA championship game vs BC
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: winning 2000 NCAA championship
Best book you've read: The Bretheren
Best movie you've seen: Legends of the Fall
Favorite all-time TV show: Friends
Favorite all-time musical artist: U2
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): collecting and listening to music
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite color: green
Ultimate vacation destination: Australia or Ireland
Car you'd most like to own: Cadillac Escalade
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: play in the NHL
What you're most thankful for: my friends and family
Person you most admire: my mother, who passed away in 2001

JON CULLEN
St. Cloud State University

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: North Dakota, they hit too much
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Ralph Engelstad Arena (UND)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: North Dakota
"Toughest" Fans: Wisconsin
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: St. Cloud State
Favorite WCHA road trip: Wisconsin
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna, F, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Tom Preissing, CC
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: North Dakota
Best WCHA team logo: North Dakota
Your college major: Finance
Favorite college class / subject: Huskey Growth Fund
Favorite NHL player: Martin St. Louis
Favorite NHL team: Minnesota Wild
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: winning the 2001 WCHA Final Five
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: winning the 2001 WCHA Final Five
Best book you've read: River of Champions
Best movie you've seen: Tombstone
Favorite all-time TV show: Cheers
Favorite all-time musical artist: Alabama
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): hunting, fishing
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): golf
Favorite food: Motzko's Hamburger Helper (beef taco)
Favorite color: black
Ultimate vacation destination: anywhere hunting or fishing
Car you'd most like to own: 1987 Chevy Blazer
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: pro hockey player
What you're most thankful for: family
Person you most admire: dad
New Year's Resolution: win

BRAD WINCHESTER
University of Wisconsin

Toughest WCHA team to play against & why: North Dakota, because they have tough defensemen and quick forwards
WCHA team you most enjoy beating: Minnesota
Favorite WCHA Arena to play in: Ralph Engelstad Arena (UND)
Most enthusiastic WCHA fans: Wisconsin
"Toughest" Fans: Minnesota
Best WCHA arena atmosphere: Wisconsin
Favorite WCHA road trip: Alaska Anchorage
Best all-around opposing WCHA player: Ryan Malone, F, SCSU
Best opposing WCHA forward: Peter Sejna & Noah Clarke, CC
Best opposing WCHA defenseman: Keith Ballard, UM
Best opposing WCHA goaltender: Wade Dubielewicz, DU
Best opposing WCHA team uniform: Colorado College
Best WCHA team logo: Wisconsin
Your college major: Marketing
Favorite college class / subject: Psychology
Favorite NHL player: Todd Bertuzzi
Favorite NHL team: Edmonton Oilers
Most memorable collegiate hockey game: last year's 7-6 (ot) comeback vs UND
Biggest thrill as a WCHA player: winning the MacNaughton Cup in 2000
Best book you've read: It's Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong
Best movie you've seen: Top Gun
Favorite all-time TV show: Seinfeld
Favorite all-time musical artist: Tom Petty
Favorite hobbies (non-sports): playing guitar, hanging out with family and friends
Favorite sport to play (besides hockey): tennis and baseball
Favorite food: steak
Favorite color: blue
Ultimate vacation destination: Grand Cayman Island
Car you'd most like to own: some kind of SUV
If you could be anything after college, what would it be: pro hockey player
What you're most thankful for: my family
Person you most admire: my dad
New Year's Resolution: Live in the moment