The Huskies open their 2020-21 season on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, with a home series against the University of Michigan at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. Tech’s WCHA opener is in Minnesota at Bemidji State the following weekend, Oct. 16-17.

“I approach the 100-year anniversary of Michigan Tech hockey with great excitement,” Shawhan said in an MTU sports news release that announced the captains on Thursday. “I feel that the program is in a very good place with strong talent and culture.

“Most if not all of our student-athletes have worn letters on their previous teams and singling out any to serve as captains of our great program was a difficult task.

“Alec has emerged as a dominant force both in the locker room and on the ice. His quiet style is a strength that commands respect.

Michigan Tech’s Trenton Bliss skates during a game against Northern Michigan University on Nov. 23 at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Journal file photo by Amy Grigas)

“Trenton has a fierce will to win and is a vocal leader within the team. Eric is a calculated individual who offers great hockey knowledge to share with young teammates.

“I look forward to working closely with them to mold this year’s team.”

Broetzman, a forward from Hudson, Wisconsin, was added as an alternate captain before the Great Lakes Invitational last December. He hasn’t missed a game in his first two seasons at Tech, appearing in 77 games with 41 points on 24 goals and 17 assists.

Broetzman and Bliss shared the Gary Crosby Memorial Award as the leading scorers for the Huskies last season. Broetzman led the team with 16 goals and added 11 assists and earned a spot on the WCHA All-Academic Team while being named WCHA Forward of the Week on Oct. 8. He was the captain of the U.S. Hockey League’s Madison, Wisconsin, Capitols in 2017-18.

Bliss, a forward from Appleton, Wisconsin, has played 73 games in his two seasons, tallying 42 points with 18 goals and 24 assists. He tied for the team lead with 27 points last season after recording 12 goals and 15 assists. He earned spots on the GLI All-Tournament Team and WCHA All-Academic Team, and was named WCHA Forward of the Week on Nov. 18. Bliss was an alternate captain for the USHL’s Green Bay, Wisconsin, Gamblers in 2017-18.

Michigan Tech's Eric Gotz, right, skates with Northern Michigan University’s Adam Roeder at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on March 6. (Journal file photo)

Gotz, a defenseman from Hermantown, Minnesota, has played in 65 games in his two seasons, tallying 26 points with five goals and 21 assists. He had a breakout offensive season in 2019-20 with four goals and 20 assists that included a pair of four-game point streaks. Gotz was named to the GLI All-Tournament Team after scoring the game winner and adding an assist in the semifinal. He earned a spot on the WCHA All-Academic Team and was the captain of the Minnesota Wilderness in the North American Hockey League in 2017-18.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.