Emma Stauber and Zoe Hickel may have just been handed the 2014-15 captain duties for the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team, but the duo have spent plenty of time sharpening their leaderships skills over the past three years.

Stauber, who will become the first Duluth, Minn. native to wear the "C" and Hickel, who hails from Anchorage, Alaska, were both assistant captains last season and have been involved in the Bulldogs leadership groups their entire UMD careers.  Along with Stauber and Hickel, who will be seniors next season, redshirt senior Brienna Gillanders and senior-to-be Jenna McParland have also been named assistant captains.

"I'm a very proud coach today, as we announce a strong and dynamic leadership group to lead the 2014-15 team," said head coach Shannon Miller.  "The team will be talented and strong and the leaders selected reflect those attributes."

Both Hickel and Stauber played in all 36 games for UMD last season, with Hickel, a forward, finishing third in points with 27 on 13 goals and 14 assists.  Stauber had a goal and five assists as a defenseman for six points.

In addition to Stauber, Duluth product Tawni Mattila was a two-year assistant captain for the Bulldogs in 2007-08 and 2008-09.