Cyclone Hockey welcomed its new slogan “Welcome to the New Age” by naming Mike Dopko captain for the 2014-15 season through a players’ vote following last season.

Dopko takes over after last year’s captain Mark Huber graduated this summer. Coincidentally, they roomed together last season.

“Like minds attract to each other,” said head coach Jason Fairman. “Mark Huber did a great job last season and [Dopko] has already shown that he can do just as good of a job.”

Dopko faces a tough challenge going forward. Iowa State graduated four key contributors on the ice: Huber, Jon Feavel, Chris Cucullu and Matt Bennett. The four combined for 57 of the 177 goals the team scored last season.

“There are definitely big shoes to fill,” Dopko said. “We lost our top scorer and top defenseman, but some of the young guys are going to have to step up to fill those roles offensively and defensively.”

To lead the program in a new direction, Dopko teaches new players to play hockey the way Cyclone Hockey players do.

“I expect hard work all the time, go hard into the corners like I like to do,” Dopko said. “Try to follow my lead a little bit and play hard, game in and game out. If everyone can play a sound defensive game like I do, we’re going to be pretty successful this season.”

Dopko missed only one game in his three-year career, making him one of the key workhorses on the team. He also excels in class, receiving the James Russo Academic Award his freshman year for tying for the highest GPA on the team.

Dopko doesn’t have the standout stats that many captains possess, contributing only nine points last season, but he leads through example both on and off the ice. 

“[Dopko] does all the right things in whatever he does, whether that be school or hockey,” Fairman said. “In hockey, wearing the C on your jersey is a revered honor. [Dopko] has earned that by gaining the trust of his teammates along with great leadership ability. He’s a great hockey player but a better individual.”

Even though the new season brings with it many questions, Dopko’s expectations could not be higher.

“We are the most offensive-minded team but we are very sound defensively,” Dopko said. “I expect that we are going to win a lot of games. I want to win every game and compete. I won’t settle for being mediocre.”

Cyclone Hockey starts its season at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 against the Huntsville Havoc at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.