Dubuque, IA – The Dubuque Fighting Saints have named forwards Caden Dabrowski and Travis Lefere to their leadership group as assistant captains for the 2026-27 season.
Both players are added to the group that features captain Melvin Ekman and assistant captain Kris Richards. The Saints' four-player leadership group has combined for 306 USHL games played.
"We are on the journey to creating a championship-level environment," said head coach Evan Dixon. "We believe these additions to our leadership group are going to support our team in bringing this thing to the next level."
Dabrowski is off to a fast start in his second USHL season after missing the first five games of the year. The Crystal Lake, Illinois native has followed up a 37-point rookie season with 14 points in his first seven games of this season and is tied for the team lead in goals (6) and points.
"Not only is he a guy who performs on the ice, but the work he puts in behind the scenes is next-level," Dixon said. "He is an exceptional example through his everyday actions and is someone who pushes everyone around him to be better."
He recorded the first hat trick of his USHL career last Saturday in a win over Sioux City. So far, Dabrowski has three games with three-or-more points in his first seven contests of the season.
Lefere joined the Saints from Waterloo for his second USHL season and made an immediate impact on and off the ice. In his first six games for the Saints, he scored three goals and recorded eight total points to lead the team. The forward has been sidelined since Oct. 9, but has remained an integral part of the team.
"Coming into our environment, Travis has shown a level of consistency and detail that is hard to match," Dixon said of Lefere. "He shows up to the rink everyday on a mission, and he's not afraid to pull others into the fight with him."
Dabrowski will sport the 'A' in game action for the first time this weekend as the Saints take on the Waterloo Black Hawks for a home-and-home Cowbell Cup series on Saturday and Sunday.
