KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Mike Guentner experienced glory on the ice before.

Now he's looking for more.

A 2005 Butler graduate, Guentner was a junior defenseman on the 2003-04 Golden Tornado hockey team that finished 17-9 and secured the first and only WPIHLplayoff victory in the program's modern history.

Guentner, now a senior majoring in sales, business and marketing at Western Michigan University, is captain of the Broncos' American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I team.

"Since the players voted, it means a lot more to me,"Guentner said. "It won't affect the way I play, but I do take the honor to heart."

Guentner is in his fourth season at Western Michigan. He was moved to forward during his freshman and sophomore years and was a member of the Broncos' No. 1 line.

He scored seven goals and 24 points as a freshman, then scored 20 points the following year.

"I was the grinder on that line, the guy who went into the corners,"Guentner said. "I went up there intending to stay a defenseman, but there was a need for forwards and I had some offensive ability."

Western Michigan's hockey program has been steadily improving. During Guentner's freshman season, the team posted a winning record for the first time in five years.

During his sophomore year, the Broncos were ranked 17th in ACHADivision I — but only the top 16 get invited to the national tournament.

Last year, Western Michigan reached the national tournament, was seeded 13th and suffered a 5-3 loss to Delaware. The team finished 22-15-2.

Guentner moved back to defense last year, but took a cross-check to the ribs in November, suffered internal bleeding and was sidelined for three weeks. He wound up scoring 11 points.

"I'm a natural defenseman. I see the ice much better from back there,"Guentner said. "I'm ready to have a big year."

Chris Slater is in his second year as coach of the Broncos and isn't surprised Guentner's teammates elected him captain.

"Mike's a coachable kid, he's good in school and a good leader,"Slater said. "And he's such a strong kid.

"He's become more of a steady defenseman — make the first pass and play solid defense."

Western Michigan is one of two schools in the country — Mercyhurst is the other — that offers both NCAADivision Ihockey and ACHADivision Ihockey.

Guenter dressed for the NCAAteam for a couple of games, but didn't see any action.

"One of the reasons I came here was because they offered both teams," he admitted. "I wanted to walk on and take a shot. If it wasn't there for me, I had the ACHAteam to fall back on.

"The difference in the two teams isn't all that great. Penn State's ACHAteam is in our league and they beat Robert Morris' NCAAteam 3-2. Our NCAAteam lost to Robert Morris."

Slater said the biggest difference between the two teams is age and experience.

"Most of the guys on the NCAA team played a few years of junior hockey, so they're in their 20s by the time they suit up here," he said.

Making either team isn't easy. Western Michigan's ACHAsquad has 60 players try out every year and the team keeps only 26.

"Nobody is ever guaranteed a spot,"Slater said. "Everyone has to try out again every year."

Guentner is not alone in moving on to college hockey from that 2003-04 Butler team. Spencer Crouse played for a year at Indiana (Pa.), B.J. Tipton played at Pitt and goaltender Bucky Holt went on to St. Vincent.

A few hockey minor leagues have expressed interest in Guentner, but he admitted this probably will be his final season as a player.

"I've filled out the questionnaires for those leagues, but I've got a good head on my shoulders and I came up here to get a college education," he said. "My plans are to use it."