Sophomore defenseman Nick Pomerleau, who was voted the Flames' Defenseman of the Year this season, led the team with 27 assists. (Photo by Ryan Anderson)
DI men’s hockey defenseman Pomerleau to complement Feamster as alternate captain
4/23/2025 1:43:00 PM | Men's D1 Hockey
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Nick Pomerleau moved up from the DII to the DI men's team last season and will join the captaincy corps for the 2025-26 campaign.
Liberty University ACHA Division I men's hockey sophomore defenseman Nick Pomerleau has been designated an alternate captain for the upcoming 2025-26 season, complementing junior forward Sam Feamster, the only returning member of the captaincy corps. His alternate captains from this past season, senior forwards Jacob Kalandyk and Truett Olson, will graduate in May.
The promotion came as a surprise for Pomerleau, who upon arrival at Liberty was planning to play for the Flames' Division II squad. He was called up to the DI team at the start of his freshman season and experienced a breakout year as a sophomore, being selected to the All-ACHA Division I Athletic Second Team and receiving honorable mention recognition on the All-ACHA DI National Championships teams.
"I was very happy coming in and going through tryouts and being told I was going to be playing for (then Division II Head) Coach (Ben) Hughes," Pomerleau said. "From there, I started earning everything I got — ice time or different opportunities in different situations. I kept working, kept my head down, and kept my work ethic up, and tried to learn as much as I could. The coaches saw that those were good leadership qualities."
His unassuming nature and lack of a sense of entitlement were favorable traits.
"They liked that I just came in and wasn't having all these expectations and things I thought should be given to me, but rather the mentality of earning everything," Pomerleau said. "And they liked that I was able to connect with everyone on the team well."
He is looking forward to being reunited with Hughes, who joined the DI staff as an assistant coach earlier this month after Associate Head Coach Jeff Boettgerstepped down following his 20th season working alongside Head Coach Kirk Handy.
"He was always very supportive and a huge help for me coming to Liberty," Pomerleau said. "When I was asked to come up to DI, he was all in support of me doing that. His goal for me and for every person in the program is to see us excel and be the best we can be, in hockey and in life."
Pomerleau was one of several underclassmen who excelled this past season, including the 10 newcomers who thrived and helped to boost the Flames to their third ACHA DI National Championship Final Four appearance in five seasons.
Head captain Sam Feamster (left) will be supported by Pomerleau next season.
"It was a good season for me, and for a lot of guys," he said. "Sam (Feamster) and (sophomore forward) Mason (Smith) had breakout seasons as well. Overall, we had a lot of fire under the team this year, all pulling in one direction. We were a very close team off the ice, so when got on the ice, we all knew where people were and were picking each other up."
Fostering camaraderie and maintaining communication on and off the ice were keys to the Flames' success this season.
"Building relationships is what it's all about," Pomerleau said. "I love each of the guys here and for guys coming in, there is going to be love as well. I am looking forward to coming alongside Sam and helping to lead this team. We have a great relationship off the ice, so it's going to be fun, and it will be amazing to see the growth. It's an honor and I am thankful for the support from the guys already, with this new role going into next season."
"Being involved in that aspect of the team, seeing behind the scenes how he works so hard and puts a lot of effort into helping us to succeed, it was so fun to get to help him to do that, and he helped me a lot," said Pomerleau, who would like to coach hockey at the collegiate or Juniors level after graduating from Liberty. "That's the goal. Obviously, I have to pay my dues."
This summer, he will stay in Lynchburg to train on the ice and in the weight room under the supervision of Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance Chris Kerr, before getting married in July in his home state of Maine. He will also serve in a temporary position with the Club Sports Events staff under Assistant Athletic Director of Scheduling & Events Rena Leone, the DII women's head coach.
"Whatever's going on at the rink, even this coming weekend with the (Liberty Hockey) Select Camps, I will be helping with setup for events," Pomerleau said. "I want to get to know everything that goes on around the rink and gain knowledge, because that's what I want to do. Learning every aspect in a hockey arena will help me later on."
As Feamster, Kalandyk, and Olson did this past season with many of the incoming freshmen forwards, Pomerleau will look to take new defensive recruits and transfers under his wing this summer to help ease their transition to the program.
"We had a really young group this year, and all the guys were getting a new fire under us and pushing us," Pomerleau said. "We're graduating five or six players, and (defensemen Nate) Cox and (Kevin) Bite and Laz Kaebel are moving on, so we will be looking to fill those shoes. Every recruit we're going to bring in we want to make sure are not only good hockey players, but good people. We will pull them in and let them help us excel as a D corps. We are looking forward to having a tight-knit group on the defensive end, and I am excited. With a good chunk of guys returning and the additions of new players, the goal next year is to go all the way."
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Video edited by Reagan Underwood/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant
