List of current NHL captains and alternate captains

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sidney Crosby, the longest tenured captain in the NHL, and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2007. The captain can be identified by the large "C" on his jersey.

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league composed of 32 teams, founded in 1917. Each team may select a captain, who has the "privilege of discussing with the referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game."[1] Each team is also permitted to select alternate captains, who serve when the captain is not on the ice.[1] Captains are required to wear the letter "C" on their uniform for identification while alternate captains wear the letter "A"; both letters are 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height.

Rule 6.2 of the 2008–09 Official NHL Rulebook indicates that "[only] when the captain is not in uniform, the coach shall have the right to designate three alternate captains. This must be done prior to the start of the game."[1][2] Many NHL teams with a named captain select more than two alternate captains and rotate the "A" among these players throughout the season.[3]

Goaltenders are not permitted to serve as captains during games.[1] This rule was instituted in 1948 after teams complained that it took Montreal Canadiens goaltender Bill Durnan too long to skate to talk with the officials and back to his crease.[4] Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo served as captain for two seasons (2008–09 and 2009–10), but because of the League's rule, he was not allowed to serve as captain on-ice or wear the "C" on his jersey, though it was incorporated into the artwork on his mask.[4][5] As a result, the Canucks were allowed to dress three alternate captains in games, as opposed to the League standard of two. Two (of the three) alternate captains handled on-ice duties in Luongo's place.[5] Other than Durnan and Luongo, five other goaltenders have captained their team: John Ross Roach of the Toronto St. Patricks, George Hainsworth of the Montreal Canadiens, Roy Worters of the New York Americans, Alec Connell of the original Ottawa Senators and Charlie Gardiner of the Chicago Black Hawks.[6]

When Connor McDavid was named captain of the Edmonton Oilers, he became the youngest permanent captain in NHL history.[7] Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are the second- and third-youngest players to be named captain in NHL history, respectively. In 1984, Brian Bellows was named interim captain of the Minnesota North Stars when Craig Hartsburg was injured, and is the youngest player to captain a team in NHL history. However, because Bellows served only on an interim basis, McDavid retains the distinction of being the youngest permanent captain in the League's history.[8] Mark Messier is the only player to captain two separate teams to Stanley Cup championships, those being the 1990 Edmonton Oilers and the 1994 New York Rangers.[9] Sidney Crosby also became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, when Crosby was just 21 years old. The oldest permanent captain in league history was Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins, who turned 43 years old, during his last NHL season (2019–20) with the Bruins. The longest tenure in league history was Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings, who served as captain of the Red Wings for nineteen seasons, over a span of twenty years.

Key[]

 dagger  Spent entire NHL career with team

Position abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
C Centre
LW Left Wing
RW Right Wing
D Defenceman

Captains[]

Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks since 2008
Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals since 2010
Ryan Getzlaf, captain of the Anaheim Ducks since 2010

Twenty-six of the thirty-two NHL teams currently have a captain. The six teams without a captain are the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken. Of the twenty-six captains, twenty of them have been with their team for their entire career. The current longest-tenured captain in the league is Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who has served in the role since May 31, 2007.

List of current NHL Captains
Team Captain Since Pos
Anaheim Ducks Ryan GetzlafSpent entire NHL career with team 2010–11[10] C
Arizona Coyotes Vacant 2021–22[a] —
Boston Bruins Patrice BergeronSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21[11] C
Buffalo Sabres Vacant 2021–22[b] —
Calgary Flames Vacant 2021–22[c] —
Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Staal 2019–20[12] C
Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan ToewsSpent entire NHL career with team 2008–09[13] C
Colorado Avalanche Gabriel LandeskogSpent entire NHL career with team 2012–13[14] LW
Columbus Blue Jackets Boone JennerSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22[15] C
Dallas Stars Jamie BennSpent entire NHL career with team 2013–14[16] LW
Detroit Red Wings Dylan LarkinSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21[17] C
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavidSpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17[7] C
Florida Panthers Aleksander BarkovSpent entire NHL career with team 2018–19[18] C
Los Angeles Kings Anze KopitarSpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17[19] C
Minnesota Wild Jared SpurgeonSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21[20] D
Montreal Canadiens Shea Weber 2018–19[21] D
Nashville Predators Roman JosiSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18[22] D
New Jersey Devils Nico HischierSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21[23] C
New York Islanders Anders LeeSpent entire NHL career with team 2018–19[24] LW
New York Rangers Vacant 2017–18[d] —
Ottawa Senators Brady TkachukSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22[25] LW
Philadelphia Flyers Vacant 2021–22[e] C
Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney CrosbySpent entire NHL career with team 2007–08[26] C
San Jose Sharks Logan CoutureSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[27] C
Seattle Kraken Vacant 2021–22[f] D
St. Louis Blues Ryan O'Reilly 2020–21[28] C
Tampa Bay Lightning Steven StamkosSpent entire NHL career with team 2013–14[29] C
Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares 2019–20[30] C
Vancouver Canucks Bo HorvatSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[31] C
Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone 2020–21[32] RW
Washington Capitals Alexander OvechkinSpent entire NHL career with team 2009–10[33] LW
Winnipeg Jets Blake Wheeler 2016–17[34] RW
  1. ^ Most recent captain, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in July 2021.
  2. ^ Most recent captain, Jack Eichel, was stripped of his captaincy in September 2021 and subsequently traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in November 2021.
  3. ^ Most recent captain, Mark Giordano, was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
  4. ^ Most recent captain, Ryan McDonagh, was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2018.
  5. ^ Most recent captain, Claude Giroux, was traded to the Florida Panthers in March 2022.
  6. ^ Most recent captain, Mark Giordano, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March 2022.

Alternate captains[]

Evgeni Malkin, the longest tenured alternate captain in the NHL, and alternate captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2008
Nicklas Backstrom, alternate captain of the Washington Capitals since 2010
Brendan Gallagher, alternate captain of the Montreal Canadiens since 2015
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, alternate captain of the Edmonton Oilers since 2015

Thirty-one out of thirty-two NHL teams have named at least the regulation two alternate captains (the exception being the Boston Bruins). Of the ninety-seven alternate captains, fifty-three of them have been with their team for their entire NHL career. Teams that have named more than the regulation two (or three in the case of teams without a captain), alternate captains, are required to rotate the two (or three) "A"s between those players by methods of their choosing. The current longest-tenured alternate captain in the league is Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who has served in the role since October 3, 2008.

List of current NHL alternate captains
Team Alternate captain(s) Since Pos
Anaheim Ducks Jakob Silfverberg 2019–20 RW
Vacant 2021–22
Arizona Coyotes Jay Beagle 2021–22 C
Jakob ChychrunSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 D
Phil Kessel 2019–20 RW
Andrew Ladd 2021–22 LW
Boston Bruins
Brad MarchandSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 LW
Rotating 2021–22 —
Buffalo Sabres Zemgus GirgensonsSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 LW
Kyle Okposo 2020–21 RW
Rotating 2021–22 —
Calgary Flames Mikael Backlundspent entire career with NHL team 2018–19 C
Sean Monahanspent entire career with NHL team 2015–16 C
Christopher Tanev 2021–22 D
Matthew Tkachukspent entire career with NHL team 2018–19 LW
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian AhoSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 C
Jordan Martinook 2019–20[35] C
Jaccob SlavinSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[36] D
Chicago Blackhawks
Alex DeBrincatSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 LW
Patrick KaneSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 RW
Connor Murphy 2021–22 D
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnonSpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 C
Mikko RantanenSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 RW
Columbus Blue Jackets
Oliver BjorkstrandSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22[37] RW
Gustav Nyquist 2021–22[38] LW
Zach WerenskiSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22[39] D
Dallas Stars
John KlingbergSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 D
Esa LindellSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 D
Joe Pavelski 2021–22 RW
Tyler Seguin 2017–18 C
Detroit Red Wings Danny DeKeyserSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 D
Marc Staal 2021–22 D
Edmonton Oilers
Leon DraisaitlSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[40] C
Ryan Nugent-HopkinsSpent entire NHL career with team 2015–16[41] C
Darnell NurseSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[42] D
Florida Panthers
Aaron Ekblad Spent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 D
Patric Hornqvist 2020–21 RW
Jonathan Huberdeau Spent entire NHL career with team 2018–19 LW
Los Angeles Kings Dustin BrownSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 RW
Drew DoughtySpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 D
Minnesota Wild Matt DumbaSpent entire career with NHL team 2021–22 D
Marcus Foligno 2021–22 LW
Montreal Canadiens Paul Byron 2018–19[43] LW
Brendan GallagherSpent entire NHL career with team 2015–16[44] RW
Jeff Petry 2021–22 D
Nick SuzukiSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 C
Nashville Predators
Mattias EkholmSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 D
Filip ForsbergSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 LW
Mikael Granlund 2021–22 C
Ryan Johansen 2017–18 C
New Jersey Devils
Dougie Hamilton 2021–22 D
Damon SeversonSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 D
Miles WoodSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 LW
New York Islanders
Josh BaileySpent entire NHL career with team 2018–19 RW
Cal Clutterbuck 2016–17[45] RW
New York Rangers
Barclay Goodrow 2021–22 RW
Chris KreiderSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 LW
Artemi Panarin 2020–21 LW
Ryan Strome 2021–22 C
Jacob Trouba 2020–21 D
Mika Zibanejad 2018–19 C
Ottawa Senators
Connor Brown 2021–22 RW
Thomas ChabotSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 D
Nick PaulSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 LW
Nikita Zaitsev 2021–22 D
Philadelphia Flyers
Sean CouturierSpent entire NHL career with team 2018–19 C
Kevin Hayes 2019–20[46] C
Ivan ProvorovSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21[47] D
Pittsburgh Penguins Kris LetangSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 D
Evgeni MalkinSpent entire NHL career with team 2008–09[48] C
San Jose Sharks
Brent Burns 2019–20 D
Mario FerraroSpent entire NHL career with team 2021–22 D
Tomas HertlSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 C
Erik Karlsson 2019–20 D
Seattle Kraken
Jordan Eberle 2021–22[49] RW
Yanni Gourde 2021–22 C
Adam Larsson 2021–22 D
Jaden Schwartz 2021–22 LW
St. Louis Blues
Colton ParaykoSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 D
Brayden Schenn 2020–21 C
Vladimir TarasenkoSpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 RW
Tampa Bay Lightning Victor HedmanSpent entire NHL career with team 2017–18 D
Alex KillornSpent entire NHL career with team 2020–21 C
Ryan McDonagh 2018–19 D
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch MarnerSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 RW
Auston MatthewsSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 C
Jake Muzzin 2021–22 D
Morgan RiellySpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 D
Vancouver Canucks Oliver Ekman-Larsson 2021–22 D
J. T. Miller 2021–22 LW
Tyler Myers 2021–22 D
Brandon Sutter 2016–17 C
Vegas Golden Knights
Alex Pietrangelo 2020–21 D
Reilly Smith 2017–18 RW
Washington Capitals Nicklas BackstromSpent entire NHL career with team 2010–11 C
John CarlsonSpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20[50] D
Winnipeg Jets
Josh MorrisseySpent entire NHL career with team 2019–20 D
Mark ScheifeleSpent entire NHL career with team 2016–17 C

References[]

Team rosters


Specific

  1. ^ a b c d "Rule 6 - Captain and Alternate Captains". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  2. ^ Buffery, Steve (October 9, 2008). "Stalled Stajan". Toronto Sun. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  3. ^ "Kings' Brown, Sabres' Rivet named captains". Postmedia News. August 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Luongo sports captain's 'C' on goalie mask". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 5, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Canucks name goaltender Luongo as team captain". The Sports Network. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Pelletier, Joe (September 30, 2008). "Captain Puckstopper". Greatest Hockey Legends. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Edmonton Oilers Name Connor McDavid Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  8. ^ McKeon, Ross (December 10, 2007). "Mailbag: More Crosby". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  9. ^ "Legends of Hockey – Introduction Showcase – Mark Messier". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ^ "Ducks Name Getzlaf Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  11. ^ "Bruins Name Patrice Bergeron 20th Captain In Team History". National Hockey League.
  12. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  13. ^ "Toews Named 34th Captain In Team History". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  14. ^ "Landeskog Named Avalanche Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  15. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "Jamie Benn Appointed Captain of the Dallas Stars". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  17. ^ "Red Wings name Dylan Larkin captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Aleksander Barkov Named Captain of the Florida Panthers". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "Kings name Kopitar team captain". TSN. 16 June 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  20. ^ "Spurgeon named captain of Wild, replaces Koivu". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Shea Weber becomes the 30th captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  22. ^ "Roman Josi Named Captain of the Nashville Predators". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  23. ^ "Hischier named captain of Devils". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  24. ^ "Lee named captain of Islanders". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. ^ "Senators name Brady Tkachuk 10th team captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  26. ^ "Penguins Name Crosby As Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  27. ^ "Couture named captain of Sharks, replaces Pavelski". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  28. ^ "O'Reilly named captain of Blues". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  29. ^ "Lightning Name Steven Stamkos the 10th Captain in Franchise History". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  30. ^ "Tavares named captain of Maple Leafs, first in three seasons". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. ^ "Bo Horvat Named 14th Captain of the Canucks". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  32. ^ "Mark Stone Gets the C". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  33. ^ "Capitals Name Alex Ovechkin Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  34. ^ "Blake Wheeler named captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  36. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  37. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  38. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  39. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  40. ^ "Edmonton Oilers name Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as alternate captains". Oilers Nation. October 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  41. ^ "Oilers name alternate captains for 2015-16 season". Edmonton Oilers. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ "Edmonton Oilers name Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as alternate captains". Oilers Nation. October 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  43. ^ "Shea Weber becomes the 30th captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  44. ^ "Brian Gionta becomes the 28th captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. September 29, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  45. ^ "Islanders Alternate Captains Ladd, Hamonic, Clutterbuck". 12 October 2016.
  46. ^ Hall, Jordan (October 3, 2019). "2019-20 Flyers season brings a new alternate captain as Kevin Hayes joins Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek". Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  47. ^ Hall, Jordan (January 12, 2021). "Flyers Set 2021 Opening Night Roster and Captains". Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  48. ^ Rossi, Rob (October 3, 2008). "Orpik, Malkin named Penguins' alternate captains". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  49. ^ @SeattleKraken (October 11, 2021). "Leaders on and off the ice. Jordan Eberle (@jeberle_7), Yanni Gourde (@YanniGourde), Adam Larsson (@AdamLarsson3) and Jaden Schwartz will serve as your #SeaKraken Alternate Captains for the 2021-22 season" (Tweet). Retrieved October 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Capitals name defenseman John Carlson an alternate captain". The Washington Post. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.


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