Below is an article from a newspaper out east, focusing on Erik Vos’ appointment to captain of the Holy Cross Crusaders.
Carlisle’s Erik Vos has been named captain of the Holy Cross Crusaders men’s hockey team.
“It’s a huge honour,” says Vos, “It’s been a short three years when you look back at it, but the fact that I’ve garnered the respect of both my coaches and my fellow teammates is a huge feeing for me.”
Vos, an economics and accounting major, was awarded the ‘C’ by a vote by both players and coaches.
“He won fairly convincingly,” said Paul Pearl, head coach of the Crusaders.
Vos said that being named captain isn’t going to change the way he plays the game. “I’m going to bring my tireless work ethic everyday and bring leadership that way. I’m not the most vocal guy in the dressing room, but I’ll try to lead by example on the ice.”
The senior forward has played in 104 career games with the Massachusetts College, with 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points. This season, he played in all 39 games and recorded a career high in goals with 13, as well as in assists with 14, and 27 points.
Coming into his first year at Holy Cross, the 23-year-old primarily was an offensive player as a member of the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he recorded 143 points in 120 games.
“He has become such a better two-way player,” said Pearl. “When he first came here he was known as a very offensive kid from junior. He’s improved his defensive game, he blocks shots, he plays in the dirty areas, he’s gritty. All those things he’s developed since he’s been here.”
Vos said that the transition to college hockey has been quite an adjustment for him. “I’ve gone from being a guy that’s counted on in all situations to a guy that’s going to play a role on the third or fourth line. I took a couple steps my sophomore year and had a better year and then this year it kind of came all together and I had my best season at Holy Cross. Hopefully that trend continues into next year as well.”
Pearl has very high praise for his newly-named captain and said that his first impressions of the Carlisle native were what he looks for in someone that could lead the team.
“Erik is a real serious hockey player. You can tell right away which kids have natural talent and have an affinity for the game and I thought Erik was one of those guys.”
As the team prepares for next season, Vos’s last with the Crusaders, the team has one thing in mind.
“We’ve been working towards a championship here at Holy Cross,” said Vos, “We have a lot of returning players and hopefully we can piece it together and winning a championship is the ultimate goal.”
