University of New Hampshire Athletics
Men’s Hockey Announces 2026-27 Captains
9/24/2026 10:48:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Lavinš named captain; Fitzgerald, Ring and Turner selected as assistant captains
DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire men's hockey program has named senior forward Martins Laviņš (Riga, Latvia) captain for the 2026-27 season. Senior defenseman Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), senior forward Nick Ring (Hingham, Mass.) and senior forward J.P. Turner (East Falmouth, Mass.) will serve as assistant captains.
Laviņš becomes the 122nd captain in program history and the first from Europe to wear the "C" for the Wildcats.
Laviņš has appeared in 92 career games, totaling 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. Last season, he served as an assistant captain and recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points in 22 games as he missed 13 contests due to an injury. He opened the 2025-26 campaign with a goal and an assist in UNH's season-opening victory at No. 2 Michigan State on Oct. 9, 2025, and later represented the Wildcats at the Spengler Cup as a member of the U.S. Collegiate Selects.
As a sophomore, Laviņš produced career highs in goals (eight), assists (nine) and points (17). He has also earned the team's Warren R. Brown Best Defensive Forward Award in each of the last three seasons.
Fitzgerald has played in 96 career games, registering three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2025-26, posting career highs with two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Fitzgerald led the Wildcats in assists and ranked third on the team in points. Both of his goals were game winners, tying for the team lead. He was named Hockey East Defender of the Week on Dec. 1, 2025, and earned UNH's Most Improved Player Award.
Ring has skated in 104 career games, tallying 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points. Last season, he ranked second on the team in goals (nine), assists (12) and points (21), while setting career highs in both assists and points. Ring also led the Wildcats with five power-play goals. As a sophomore, he recorded nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
Turner, who will serve as an assistant captain for the second consecutive season, has totaled 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 94 career games. As a sophomore, he established career highs with five goals, eight assists and 13 points. Following his freshman season, Turner received the team's Most Improved Player Award.
The Wildcats start the 2026-27 season at Quinnipiac on Friday, Oct. 2 and begin the home season versus Michigan State on Oct. 23-24.
Individual game tickets for the 2026-27 University of New Hampshire men's hockey season are on sale now for all 19 home games by visiting UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling (603) 862-4000.
Laviņš becomes the 122nd captain in program history and the first from Europe to wear the "C" for the Wildcats.
Laviņš has appeared in 92 career games, totaling 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. Last season, he served as an assistant captain and recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points in 22 games as he missed 13 contests due to an injury. He opened the 2025-26 campaign with a goal and an assist in UNH's season-opening victory at No. 2 Michigan State on Oct. 9, 2025, and later represented the Wildcats at the Spengler Cup as a member of the U.S. Collegiate Selects.
As a sophomore, Laviņš produced career highs in goals (eight), assists (nine) and points (17). He has also earned the team's Warren R. Brown Best Defensive Forward Award in each of the last three seasons.
Fitzgerald has played in 96 career games, registering three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2025-26, posting career highs with two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Fitzgerald led the Wildcats in assists and ranked third on the team in points. Both of his goals were game winners, tying for the team lead. He was named Hockey East Defender of the Week on Dec. 1, 2025, and earned UNH's Most Improved Player Award.
Ring has skated in 104 career games, tallying 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points. Last season, he ranked second on the team in goals (nine), assists (12) and points (21), while setting career highs in both assists and points. Ring also led the Wildcats with five power-play goals. As a sophomore, he recorded nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
Turner, who will serve as an assistant captain for the second consecutive season, has totaled 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 94 career games. As a sophomore, he established career highs with five goals, eight assists and 13 points. Following his freshman season, Turner received the team's Most Improved Player Award.
The Wildcats start the 2026-27 season at Quinnipiac on Friday, Oct. 2 and begin the home season versus Michigan State on Oct. 23-24.
Individual game tickets for the 2026-27 University of New Hampshire men's hockey season are on sale now for all 19 home games by visiting UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling (603) 862-4000.
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