ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College Men's ACHA Division 1 hockey program is proud to announce that Senior forward, Justin Jamer, will join the team's captaincy group next season alongside previous captain, and current Graduate Student, Sebastian Smith. The forward duo will co-captain and both wear the 'C' for the Bulldogs in 2025-2026.

Jamer (Nepean, Ontario) enters his final season with the Bulldogs and his first with a letter on his jersey. Smith (Pinckney, Michigan), who returns to the Bulldogs for his fifth and final campaign, previously served as an Assistant Captain in 2023-24 and as Captain last season in 2024-25.

On the ice, the 6-3, 200-pound Jamer has carried his value as a physical presence up front for the Bulldogs the last three seasons, providing scoring, a voice, and the creation of time and space for his teammates. In his first three years with Adrian, the Canadian has collected 35 goals and 47 assists for 82 points in 109 total games, helping the Bulldogs earn three conference regular season titles, two conference playoff crowns, and a National Championship. In addition, Jamer scored the overtime game-winning goal in the 2025 Conference Playoff Championship Game, clinching the Bulldogs the inaugural GL6 Playoff Championship and earning the Tournament MVP award on home ice back in February.

Away from the ice, Jamer studies Sport Management and is also working towards a Certificate in Project Management. In his free time, Jamer contributes to the Adrian College Special Olympics organization, collaborating with other student-athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities on campus to provide opportunities and build friendships through sports and extracurricular activities.

"Jam is the type of person and player that every coach loves to have on their team," stated Head Coach, Gary Astalos, who is entering his tenth season at the helm of the MD1 Bulldogs. "He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a "lead by example" type of player on the ice for us. We could not be happier for him to have a "C" on his sweater and help steer the ship for this team."

Smith, a 6-0, 180-pound Michigan native, has been a crucial part of the program's success over the last four years. During his tenure, Smith has helped lead the Bulldogs to four conference regular season championships, two conference playoff championships, three straight appearances in the national final, and one National Championship crown.

Smith has not only excelled on the ice, but on campus and in the classroom as well. During his undergraduate career, Smith spent time as the team's lead SAAC representative and completed his Certificate in Financial Planning. Smith graduated this past Spring with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance, with a Minor in Economics. Smith also competes on the Adrian College Men's Tennis team. His career highlights on the ice include two All-Conference nods, an All-Tournament recognition, and an All-American accolade. He has also represented Team USA at the World Cup of University Hockey and the World University Winter Games.

Jamer and Smith will lead a group that graduated eight seniors last season and captured the inaugural Great Lakes Six Hockey Conference Regular Season and Playoff Championships, while also returning to the ACHA National Championship Game for the third consecutive season. The Bulldogs are also excited to announce that graduated Senior, Ethan McLaughlin, will be returning to the team next season, alongside Smith, to pursue their respective graduate degrees and play their fifth years of ACHA eligibility. McLaughlin (Penticton, British Columbia) was the team's Associate Captain last season and will remain within the leadership group for 2025-26.

"The opportunity for our program to have not only two elite players, but amazing people in Bubba and E, return to our program, is massive for our group as a whole," added Astalos. "They both bring so much, not only on the ice, but to our locker room and our campus community as a whole. Both of these guys will also be there every step of the way to support Jamer in this new role."

Rounding out the leadership core are Senior defenseman, Cyrus Toth, and Senior forward, Dylan Gajewski, who will be the Assistant Captains wearing the remaining two letters next season. Both Toth and Gajewski will wear letters for the first time as Bulldogs.

Later this month, the Men's ACHA Division 1 Bulldogs will publicly release their 2025-26 season schedule, which is set to begin in mid-September.