A Yukoner will be sporting the ‘C' next season for the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves hockey team.

Jared Tuton, who is entering his fourth year with the Seawolves, was announced as the college team's captain during a team meeting early last week.

"It was a big surprise, pretty big honour, so I was pretty happy about it," he said.

"There's a lot of guys that could have been wearing it, so I was pretty surprised, but honoured at the same the time."

The senior forward dressed for 32 games last season, scoring one goal and adding five assists. In his three seasons at the college, Tuton has suited up for a total of 103 games with the Seawolves.

Last season, the squad bettered its record to 14-17-5, going 9-14-5 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play.

The team's standing in WCHA competition tripled its conference victories and doubled its win total from the 2007-08 campaign.

The year ended with a disappointing first round elimination to fifth ranked Denver. Denver won the best of three game series 2-0, winning 3-2 and 4-3.

In both games Denver came from behind in the third period to get the victory.

"We still look at this season as a bit of a let down," Tuton said. "We felt like we should have won the playoff series against Denver. We were the better team and it almost felt like an upset."

Tuton said despite the early exit, the team is optimistic heading into next season.

"We have a lot of the same guys coming back and a good group of guys to go into a season with."

Tuton avoids setting personal goals during an individual hockey season, which didn't change for 2009-10.

"I don't like to put any extra pressure on myself or anything," he said.

As a result of some key returning players, Tuton said next season's team should be the best hockey squad in his time at Alaska Anchorage.