Kahlau awarded the 'C' posthumously

Judd, Kirbis to serve as assistant captains in 2021-22

The Fredonia State men's hockey team has chosen to honor the late Tanner Kahlau as captain for the 2021-22 season. In a corresponding move, Head Coach Jeff Meredith announced Chandler Judd and Ethan Kirbis will serve as assistant captains.

Kahlau, who would have been a senior in the fall, died in a skiing accident last January. He played two seasons with the Blue Devils (2018-19 and 2019-20) after playing junior hockey with the New Jersey Rockets of the United States Premier Hockey League. He was a native of Mountain Top, Pa., and a 2016 graduate of Crestwood High School.

"I am excited that our hockey team chose to name Tanner to be our captain," Meredith said. "For three years Tanner was a leader in our program and feel it's only appropriate that he help lead us in his senior year." 

In addition to honoring him posthumously with the team captainship, the Blue Devils will remember their fallen teammate Nov. 6 when they play Trine University, which has been designated The Tanner Kahlau Memorial Game. No. 9 Kahlau jerseys with the captain's "C" on the front will be available for purchase starting in July. All proceeds will be added to the Tanner Kahlau Memorial Fund, an endowment set up by his family to benefit the men's hockey team. More details will be announced next month.

Of the new assistant captains, Meredith said Judd, a rising senior from Piedmont, S.C., and Kirbis, a rising senior from Clarence, were chosen to lead the Blue Devils back onto the ice after having the 2020-21 season canceled due to the pandemic.

"I am so excited to partner with Chandler and Ethan to lead our hockey team next season," the coach said. "As a team, we have had to deal with so many things over the last year, that I think Chandler and Ethan are the perfect leaders, students, and young men to have a great impact in leading our hockey team."

Additional comments:

Meredith, on Judd: "In over 30 years of coaching and working with young men, I would really have to think to see if I could remember anyone who was as organized and detailed as Chandler Judd. Chandler sets a great example as a student athlete and I am proud to have the opportunity with work with next year."

Meredith, on Kirbis: "In the 34-year history of the hockey program at Fredonia, Ethan is the youngest captain the program has ever had. While most Blue Devils come to Fredonia after playing a few years of junior hockey, Ethan enrolled right out of high school. In the three years Ethan has been here, I have seen such growth from him that it is no wonder why his teammates and coach wanted him to be a captain."

Judd, on being chosen assistant captain: "I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead with Ethan this coming year. ....Being selected by my peers to be a voice to turn to in times of trouble and success is one of the most humbling honors I have ever received. We have been through many battles together in my time here, and I am honored to have the privilege of helping to lead through whatever we may face."

Judd, on Kahlau being named captain: "As a team we have decided to name one of our greatest teammates, friend, and family member Tanner Kahlau captain for his senior season. He will be our guardian angel looking over us for the highest highs and the lowest lows this coming year. I fully believe he is fully behind us in everything we do and I cannot think of a better way to honor the man he was. He may be absent from our eyes but never our hearts."

Kirbis, on being chosen assistant captain: "It's an honor that the guys felt I would make a good leader and I'm excited to see what the upcoming year will bring. That being said; our team has already been through so much in a short period of time and I can't commend everyone enough on how strong they've been. Moving forward we are all excited to get back to a little bit of normalcy and continue to grow as a team."   

Kirbis, on Kahlau being named captain: "There was never a world where he wasn't going to lead our team regardless of the situation we are all in. Tanner was the most amazing person in every aspect of life and I know, even for the guys who only had the privilege of knowing him for a single semester; that he has inspired us to do something great. As for the Kahlau family, again they are some of the most kind, special people I have ever met and I know his parents and Anna are so proud of him. Tanner wearing the 'C' will put a smile on their faces and will be something they can credit to the character of their son and brother for the rest of their lives."