Last week, Harvard men’s ice hockey announced that Mason Langenbrunner ’26 and Joe Miller ’26 will be taking over for Ian Moore ’25, Jack Bar ’25, and Zakary Karpa ’25 as captains of the Crimson next season. Both players were voted to wear the ‘C’ by their teammates and are eager to take on the new responsibility.
Miller and Langenbrunner have been all-star members of men’s ice hockey during their time at Harvard. As the team continues to rebuild following the departure of eight seniors after the 2022-2023 season, Langenbrunner and Miller have proven themselves dedicated, resilient, and able to perform despite team-wide struggles during their tenures.
Langenbrunner had a career season this past season, netting six goals and adding four assists for 10 points in 33 games. A fifth-round Boston Bruins draft pick in 2020, he scored twice at TD Garden against Northeastern in the Beanpot and was a two-time ECAC Defenseman of the Week. With 99 career games played, Langenbrunner is set to become the 43rd defenseman in the last 45 seasons to reach 100 career games when he leads the Crimson next season. The Minnesota native has recorded seven goals and nine assists throughout his Harvard career. This year, Langenbrunner also earned the Donald Angier Hockey Trophy, awarded to the Harvard player who shows the greatest overall improvement during the season.
Miller has been an offensive force for the Crimson, racking up 31 goals and 47 assists for a total of 77 points over 93 career games; he is just the tenth Crimson forward in the last decade to surpass 75 career points. Named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, Miller earned All-Ivy First Team and ECAC Third Team honors as a sophomore, finishing with 13 goals and 14 assists in 32 games. He was selected in the sixth round of the NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020.
“It’s an honor to be named a captain here at Harvard. The history of this program alone makes it special, but the fact that I get to help lead a great hockey team as well makes it an amazing opportunity,” Langenbrunner said in an interview with the Independent.
For both players, being chosen by their teammates to become the team’s next leaders is a monumental moment. “It means a lot to be voted a captain by our teammates. Having the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of previous Harvard hockey leaders is such a unique opportunity that I’m excited to experience,” Miller shared.
For both players, hockey is a fundamental part of their lives. Lagenbrunner’s father, Jamie Langenbrunner, was a legendary NHL player, winning two Stanley Cups with the 1999 Dallas Stars, the team’s first championship, and the 2003 New Jersey Devils. Langenbrunner also served as captain of the United States Olympic Hockey Team in 2010 for their silver medal finish.
“I was fortunate enough to grow up around the game with my dad having a long and successful NHL career. He was my role model and the person I learned from,” Langenbrunner said. “Now, I look at guys around the National Hockey League, but I’ve always found that watching and focusing on myself has been the best way for me to learn what I need to be adding.”
Miller has been able to find similar inspiration from multiple places in hockey. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of role models throughout my hockey career. Whether it’s NHL players like Mitch Marner or Patrick Kane, or former teammates like Sean Farrell and Erik Middendorf, I’ve learned so much not just on the ice, but off the ice from these guys,” he said.
Harvard men’s ice hockey has had a rocky record the last two years, going 7-19-6 in 2023-2024 and 13-17-3 in 2024-2025; however, the new captains are optimistic about the coming season. “I’m hoping our team can achieve some big goals next year,” said Miller.
“I’m hoping that we can have a fast start next season. We have a lot of guys returning and good first-years coming in so a strong start would make for an optimistic season,” Langenbrunner added.
When Miller and Langenbrunner return in the fall, they’ll be the latest in a line of well respected leaders that have helped prepare them for the transition. “Joe and I have both been blessed with fantastic leadership over our three years from guys that wore the ‘C’ and guys that didn’t,” said Langenbrunner.
“Obviously, being at Harvard you’re surrounded by so many different people who have such unique experiences. I think interacting with these individuals and learning their experiences and how they operate can be applied to being a leader within a team,” echoed Miller.
As for specific lessons they will be bringing into their new roles, the two new captains were adamant about the importance of being strategically articulated on and off the ice.
“Learning how to balance different preferences, playing styles and personalities is something that I’m looking forward to. The current captains have also taught me how to manage these things. They’ve done a great job at leading by example while also being vocal when necessary,” said Miller.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is to just be yourself and be a voice of reason,” Langenbrunner added.
Harvard will lose eight players next season, a significant departure of talent for the squad. Searching for a silver lining, both Miller and Langenbrunner see this as a major opportunity for growth, individually and as a cohesive unit. “With those losses, I’m excited to watch other guys step up into bigger roles. We have so many great hockey players on this team and a new season presents everyone with the opportunity to grow their game,” said Miller.
“Losing those guys is hard. They are great players, friends, and leaders of our program. These guys leaving mean we have big shoes to fill so that’s where we need guys to have big offseasons to put themselves in the best positions to fill those roles,” continued Langenbrunner.
Everyone from fans to coaches to the players themselves knows what has to happen for this team to be successful in the years to come. Big jumps are needed from everyone to turn Harvard from the underdog into a competitive hockey program. Miller and Langenbrunner seem eager to take those jumps and lead by example.
Jordan Wasserberger ’27 (jwasserberger@college.harvard.edu) would like to finally write a string of articles about how good things are going for the men’s ice hockey team.