The Langley Rivermen have named their leadership group for the 2012/13 season.

Joining captain Thomas Nitsche with letters on their sweaters are assistant captains Mario Puskarich, Logan Smith, Jakob Reichert, and Derek Sutliffe.

Puskarich and Smith are going to wear letters both home and away while Reichert and Sutliffe will rotate.

Reichert will wear the "A" at home, while Sutliffe will assist on the road.

Nitsche was named team captain in the spring.

Smith is new to the team, but has junior 'A' experience and left a good impression on the coaching staff.

"We brought Logan in as a veteran leader and has played in the USHL already and has a scholarship to Holy Cross," Rivermen associate head coach Jordan Emmerson said.

"He is a mature player and is very good in our room, and provides a calming influence on and off the ice."

Puskarich is a returning player and a 20-year-old who made strides in becoming a leader.

"Mario is a high-energy guy and is well-liked by his teammates and has brought more intangibles in the room," Emmerson said. "He is a returning player and was our leading goal scorer last year and is very deserving of this."

Reichert is a hometown boy and has been in the league for two years before being traded to the Rivermen in the summer.

"Jake is a force in our league and is a very hard working kid that leads by example," Emmerson said.

"He has been around the league a long time and has shown great leadership qualities."

Sutliffe was an assistant last season and is described as a "team first" type of guy.

"Derek is a returning player that was part of the leadership group a season ago and embodies hard work and will have a more expanded role this year," Emmerson said."More importantly, he leads by example and shows his teammates what to do on and off the ice to be successful."