McInnis gets a capital C

Johnny McInnis

Small C on the back of the jersey. Big C on the front.

Minnesota State senior forward Johnny McInnis will be the team's captain this season, the university announced on Tuesday night. Two defensemen, senior Josh Nelson and junior Brett Stern will be the team's alternate captains.

McInnis, the Boston native, has played in 92 career games. He has compiled 22 goals -- eight game-winners, which ranks 11th on MSU's all-time list -- and 19 assists for 41 points.

"At this point, I'm excited about the way Johnny McInnis is going," coach Mike Hastings said on Tuesday morning, hours before he announced his leadership. "I've seen a maturity out of him ... off and on the ice."

More from Hastings: "You look at the step (last season's captain) Eriah Hayes took from his junior to senior year. We're going to need Johnny McInnis to take that step as a leader. He was dominant at times last year."

Nelson, a Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., native was named MSU's Unsung Hero Award winner last year and has totaled six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 84 career games.

Stern, a Lino Lakes native, has two goals and seven assists for nine points in 56 career games with the Mavericks.