Fairfield University (DIII) Names Leadership Group for 2025-26 Season
Fairfield, CT — Fairfield University (DIII) has officially named its leadership group for the 2025-26 season, with Graduate Student Kyle Dillon and Junior Zach Pers named Co-Captains, and Senior Lucas Chaconas and Junior Jack Perreault serving as Alternate Captains.
Following a deep run to the semifinals of the 2025 AAU National Championship, the Stags return a seasoned core, with all four leaders entering their third season with the program.
Kyle Dillon – Graduate Student – Co-Captain – Forward
Dillon returns as Co-Captain after wearing an “A” in 2024-25. During the regular season, he recorded 8 points (4G, 4A) in 19 games, but elevated his play in the postseason, notching 3 goals in 4 games at the National Championship — scoring in every game where Fairfield found the back of the net.
Fairfield went 2-0-1 in Pool Play, including a narrow 1-0 overtime loss to eventual champion South Carolina (DIII), before falling to St. John Fisher in the semifinals. Dillon’s clutch scoring helped push the Stags to their deepest postseason finish yet. He was also a nominee for Fairfield Club Sports’ Male Athlete of the Year. In 2023-24, Dillon posted 4 points (2G, 2A) in 18GP.
Zach Pers – Junior – Co-Captain – Forward
Pers also enters his third season and steps into the co-captaincy after a strong 2024-25 campaign. He registered 12 points (6G, 6A) in 19 regular season games, and added 4 assists in 4 games at Nationals — trailing only Jonathan Vitka in tournament scoring for the Stags.
A consistent offensive threat with a proven track record in big moments, Pers finished his 2023-24 season with 15 points (10G, 5A) in 17GP. Before Fairfield, he played at Holy Ghost Prep (USHS-PA) and with the Philadelphia Flyers Elite 18U AAA program.
Lucas Chaconas – Senior – Alternate Captain – Forward
Chaconas led Fairfield in regular season scoring in 2024-25, finishing with 18 points (7G, 11A) in 19GP — tied for the team lead in goals and outright leader in assists. While he was held off the scoresheet at Nationals, his regular season performance established him as one of the team’s most consistent offensive drivers.
He tallied 10 points (3G, 7A) in 15 games during the 2023-24 season and enters his senior year as a veteran presence. Before Fairfield, Chaconas played for Georgetown Prep (USHS-MD).
Jack Perreault – Junior – Alternate Captain – Forward
Perreault returns as an Alternate Captain following a steady sophomore campaign in which he recorded 9 points (3G, 6A) in 18GP. Though he didn’t register a point at Nationals, Perreault brings playmaking ability and versatility to the forward group.
In 2023-24, he finished second on the team in assists with 12 helpers (2G, 12A) in 17GP. A product of Saint Ignatius College Prep (USHS-IL), Perreault continues to round out Fairfield’s skilled and balanced leadership group.
With four returning veterans stepping into formal leadership roles, Fairfield (DIII) is set to build on its semifinal finish and return as a contender in 2025-26.
Photo Credit: Dave Stufflebeam I @aztekphotos (Instagram) and Amelia Cordova I @cordovaclicks (Instagram)
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Founded in 2009, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC) is an intercollegiate hockey conference dedicated to promoting competitive non-varsity hockey across the Northeastern United States. The ECHC features teams competing at the Division I, Division II, and Division III levels within AAU College Hockey. The conference is committed to delivering a premier hockey experience emphasizing student-athlete development, academic achievement, and sportsmanship. The Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference is a 501(c) not for profit organization.