DENVER – Defenseman J.P. Testwuide (Vail, Colo.) has been named captain of the 2008-09 University of Denver hockey team, while forwards Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, Colo.) and Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) will serve as alternate captains, Two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky announced today.

Testwuide becomes the ninth consecutive defenseman to either captain or co-captain the Pioneers. The gritty blueliner re-established a strong upperclassmen presence in the locker room as an alternate captain this season as the Pioneers advanced to their first NCAA Tournament since 2005. Testwuide is one of the team’s hardest workers and has improved his two-way game the past two seasons. The hard-hitting Testwuide led the Pioneers with 66 penalty minutes last season.

“J.P. is the first Coloradan to serve as team captain in the 60 years of DU hockey,” Gwozdecky said. “J.P. has really established himself as leader with his tremendous work ethic and passion for the Denver hockey program. He is a tough competitor that will demand a lot from himself and his teammates for our team to reach its goals next season.”

Ruegsegger will serve as alternate captain for the second consecutive season. Ruegsegger netted 22 points on 10 goals and 12 assists in 31 games. He missed a month with an abdominal injury, but returned in time to help the Pioneers to their 19th NCAA Tournament appearance. Ruegsegger garnered his second consecutive Dr. Art Mason Award as Denver’s top scholar-athlete.

“Tyler is the complete package of a student-athlete,” Gwozdecky said. “He is a fierce competitor, who is extremely talented. Tyler is another Coloradan that is extremely proud to wear the Crimson and Gold.”

Rakhshani will serve as an alternate captain for the first season. The talented forward led DU with eight power-play goals and tallied a natural hat trick in the last 5:20 of DU’s come-from-behind 3-2 win at St. Cloud State. Rakhshani and Ruegsegger helped Team USA to fourth-place finish at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“Rhett is well-liked and respected by all of his teammates,” Gwozdecky said. “Like Tyler, Rhett is a model student-athlete and talented hockey player. Rhett leads by example and is excited about the challenge.”

The Pioneers open the 2008-09 season by hosting NCAA runner-up Notre Dame in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Magness Arena.