Wikipedia

Captain (ice hockey)

Inice hockey,thecaptainis the player designated by a team as the only person authorized to speak with the gameofficialsregarding rule interpretations when the captain is on the ice.[1][2]At most levels of play each team must designate one captain and a number ofalternate captains(usually two or three) who speak to the officials when the captain is on the bench. Captains wear a "C" on theirsweaters,while alternate captains wear an "A".[3]

Sidney Crosby,wearing the "C" as captain of thePittsburgh Penguins

Officially captains have no other responsibility or authority, although they may, depending on the league or individual team, have various informal duties, such as participation in pre-game ceremonies or other events outside the game. As with most team sports that designatecaptains,the captain is usually a well-respected player and a team leader.[4]

Responsibilities and importance

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CaptainsNicklas Lidstromof theDetroit Red Wings(right) andRyan Getzlafof theAnaheim Ducks(middle) talk with a referee

According toInternational Ice Hockey Federation(IIHF) andNational Hockey League(NHL) rules, the only player allowed to speak withrefereesabout rule interpretations is the captain, or, if the captain is not on the ice, analternate captain.[5][6]

Although the rules do not specify any other distinction between the captain and their teammates, the captain has numerous responsibilities to the team, particularly in North American professional hockey.[7]The captain is a dressing room leader, and also represents the players' concerns to management.[8]

The captain is often considered the primary representative of the team to the public, and sometimes is responsible for organizing the team's social functions and performing ceremonial on-ice functions, such as award presentations or ceremonial faceoffs.[8]

Selection

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NHL teams need not designate the same player as captain from game to game, though most teams do. WhenBoston BruinscaptainTerry O'Reillyretired,Ray BourqueandRick Middletonwere named as co-captains of the team for the1985–86 season.Middleton wore the "C" during home games and Bourque for road games during the season's first half, and the two switched for the second half. This arrangement continued until Middleton retired in 1988 and Bourque became the sole captain. Some teams name two (such as theBuffalo Sabresduring the2005–06and2006–07 NHL seasons) or three (such as theVancouver Canucksduring the1990–91 season) captains for a season. Some teams rotate captains rather than keep one for an extended period of time (theMinnesota Wildrotated captaincy every one or two months until the2009–10 season,whenMikko Koivuwas named the first permanent captain since the franchise's inception). During each NHL game, however, only one player can officially be designated as captain.[6]

Captains are usually veteran players, though on occasion younger players are chosen. The selection is often seen as an important moment for a team, and one that can affect the team's (and newly appointed captain's) performance. Captains are selected by different means: in some instances, teams have held votes among their players to choose a team captain, while on other occasions, the choice was made by team management. Captains are often chosen due to their seniority in the game and years of service with their current club. However, franchise players—current or emerging stars—have also been named captains.[4]Though not required, many captains have previously served as alternate captains of their team. Some selections or removals of NHL captaincies have been controversial, more so than the other North American professional sports leagues. For instance, inCanada men's national ice hockey team,then-General ManagerBobby ClarkeselectedEric Lindrosfor the1998 Winter Olympics,considered somewhat controversial as Lindros was chosen over longer-tenured NHL captains such asSteve Yzerman,Ray BourqueandWayne Gretzky,Clarke was also general manager of thePhiladelphia Flyerswhom Lindros played for professionally. In 2000, when the relationship between Clarke and Lindros deteriorated during contentious contract negotiations and the team's handling of Lindros' injuries, the team captaincy was issued toEric Desjardins.[9]Tampa Bay Lightninghead coachJohn Tortorellastripped the captaincy fromVincent Lecavalierafter disagreements about the player's skills and conditioning practices.[10]In 1980,Darryl Sittlerangrily resigned the captaincy by cutting off the "C" from hisToronto Maple Leafsjersey with scissors, in protest ofHarold Ballard's trade of his best friendLanny McDonald,[11]Ballard likened Sittler's actions toflag burning.[12]

The rules of the IIHF, NHL andHockey Canadado not permitgoaltendersto be designated as on-ice captains,[5][6]due to the logistical challenge of having the goaltender relay rules discussions between referees and coaches and then return to thecrease.The NHL introduced a rule prohibiting the goaltender from being a captain following the1947–48 season(see§ Goaltender captainsbelow).

Alternate captains

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Evgeni MalkininNovember 2017:the "A" is commonly on the left side of the jersey (from wearer's perspective)

Teams may designate alternate captains (often erroneously called "assistant captains" ). Alternate captains wear the letter "A" on their jerseys in the same manner that team captains wear the "C".

In the NHL, teams may appoint a captain and up to two alternate captains, or they may appoint three alternate captains and thus no captain. A team with aplayer-coachmay also have no captain or alternate captains.[13]A team commonly has three alternate captains when the team has not selected a captain, or when the serving captain is injured and misses a game. In theNational Hockey League,it is common for a team to have three alternate captains if no one is assigned captain, the current captain is absent, or a goaltender is named as the captain. International and USA amateur rules do not allow this; they stipulate that "each team must appoint a captain and not more than two alternate captains"[5]In theOntario Hockey League(OHL),Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League(QMJHL),Western Hockey League(WHL) and minor leagues under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada, teams are allowed to have a captain with up to three alternate captains.[14][15][16][17] If the team chooses to not appoint a captain, they are not permitted to appoint a fourth alternate captain. When the captain is off the ice or unavailable for the game, any alternate captain on the ice is responsible for fulfilling the captain's official role as liaison to the referees.

NHL teams may choose alternate captains from game to game or appoint regular alternate captains for the season. In North America, alternate captains perform many of the same leadership and team building roles as the captain. In the1969–70 season,theBoston Bruinshad three alternate captains (Johnny Bucyk,Phil EspositoandEd Westfall) instead of a captain sporting the "C". However, as Bucyk was the most senior of the alternate captains, he was first one to be presented theStanley Cupwhen the team won the championship in 1970 and 1972.

In the NCAA, a team can designate a single alternate captain to assume the role of captain, should the captain be unavailable due to injury or penalty.[18]

Designation on uniform

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See also:Hockey jersey § Design

The letter "C" or "A" is attached to the jersey of the team's captain and alternate captains (commonly sewn at higher levels of play, though removable insignia exist so the "C" or "A" designation can be easily changed). The designation is traditionally placed on the left side of the sweater, though the IIHF, NHL and NCAA rules specify only that it must be in a "conspicuous location on the front" of the player's sweater.[5][6][18]Two teams in the NHL have sweaters where the positioning of the crest on the front leaves insufficient space on the left for the letter: theCarolina HurricanesandNew Jersey Devilsboth have alternate jerseys where the captain's patch is on the right.

In theWorld Hockey Association's final season of 1978-79,Paul Shmyr,the captain of theEdmonton Oilers,wore a "K" (forkapitan) on his sweater instead of a "C", as a salute to both his personal, and the city of Edmonton's,Ukrainianheritage.

NHL captains

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Main article:List of current NHL captains and alternate captains

Records

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Steve Yzermanserved as the captain of the Detroit Red Wings for 20 years/19 seasons (1986–87to2005–06) and 1,303 games during that time, the longest term in the history of the NHL by both years and games. TheBoston Bruins'Ray Bourquewas previously the longest-tenured captain in NHL history from1985–86to1999–00,being co-captain for the first three seasons.Daniel Alfredssonholds the record as the longest-serving European captain serving for 14 years/13 seasons (1999–00to 2012–13) as captain of theOttawa Senators.[19]Alfredsson's record was tied byZdeno Chara,who served as the captain of theBoston Bruinsalso for 14 seasons between2006–07and2019–20.Brian Bellowswas the youngest captain in NHL history, serving as the interim captain of theMinnesota North Starsfrom January to May 1984, duringCraig Hartsburg's absence from the lineup, due to injury. The youngest permanent NHL captain in history isConnor McDavid,announced as captain by theEdmonton Oilerson October 5, 2016, at the age of 19 years and 266 days.

Player is still active as captain of their team.
Youngest NHL captains
Name Team Birth date Captaincy announced Age at announcement First game as captain Age at first game Type
Brian Bellows Minnesota North Stars September 1, 1964 January 10, 1984† 19 years, 131 days Interim
Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers January 13, 1997 October 5, 2016[20] 19 years, 266 days October 12, 2016 19 years, 273 days Permanent
Gabriel Landeskog Colorado Avalanche November 23, 1992 September 4, 2012 19 years, 286 days[21] January 19, 2013 20 years, 57 days Permanent
Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins August 7, 1987 May 31, 2007[22] 19 years, 297 days[21] October 5, 2007[23] 20 years, 59 days Permanent
Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay Lightning April 21, 1980 March 1, 2000[24] 19 years, 315 days March 1, 2000[25] 19 years, 315 days Permanent
Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks April 29, 1988 July 18, 2008[26] 20 years, 80 days October 10, 2008[27][28][29] 20 years, 164 days Permanent
Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings May 9, 1965 October 7, 1986[30] 21 years, 151 days October 9, 1986[31] 21 years, 153 days Permanent
Jim Schoenfeld Buffalo Sabres September 4, 1952 September 1, 1974[32] 21 years, 362 days October 14, 1974[33] 22 years, 40 days Permanent
Trevor Linden Vancouver Canucks April 11, 1970 October 4, 1991** 21 years, 177 days** Permanent
Nico Hischier New Jersey Devils January 4, 1999 February 20, 2021 22 years, 47 days February 20, 2021 22 years, 47 days Permanent

Table Notes:

†An exact date for Brian Bellows'interimcaptaincy has not yet been determined. The North Stars captain,Craig Hartsburg,was injured on January 3, 1984, and Bellows became interim captain shortly thereafter in January 1984.[34]

**Stan Smylresigned as Canucks captain after the 1989–90 season. Trevor Linden,Dan Quinn,andDoug Lidsterwere named "Tri-Captain" for the 1990–91 season. Dan Quinn would be traded to the St. Louis Blues at the 1991 trade deadline, leaving Linden and Lidster as co-captains. Trevor Linden became sole captain for the start of the 1991–92 season. Exact dates for announcements and first game wearing the "C" in "Tri-Captaincy" rotation could not be determined. Date listed is Linden's first game of the 1991–92 regular season as permanent captain.[35]

Stanley Cup Finals

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Jean Beliveauis the only one to have captained his team to win fiveStanley Cupchampionships, doing so with theMontreal Canadiensbetween 1961 and 1971. The following captains all won four, three of them in consecutive years:Maurice Richard(1957–1960) with the Canadiens,George Armstrongwith theToronto Maple Leafs,Yvan Cournoyer(1976–1979) with the Canadiens,Denis Potvin(1980–1983) with theNew York IslandersandWayne Gretzkywith theEdmonton Oilers.Charlie Gardinerwas the first NHL captain born in Europe to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title (1934).Derian Hatcherbecame the first American-born captain to win the Stanley Cup in1999.Daniel Alfredssonwas the first European-born and trained captain to lead an NHL team to the Stanley Cup Finals (2007), whileNicklas Lidstromwas the first captain born and trained in Europe to lead an NHL team to a Stanley Cup title (2008).Mark Messierwas the first NHL player to win the Stanley Cup as captain of two different teams: the Edmonton Oilers in1990and theNew York Rangersin1994.Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup in2009at 21 years 10 months. The youngest captain to lead his team to the Stanley Cup in the history of the trophy isMike Grantof the 1895Montreal Victorias,who was 21 years and 2 months at the time.[36]

Minority captains

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Dirk Grahambecame the first NHL captain of African descent when he was named captain of theChicago Blackhawksin March 1989.[37]Jarome Iginla,who became captain of theCalgary Flamesin 2003, has been cited by ESPN as the firstblackcaptain in NHL history.[38] Bryce Salvadorcaptained theNew Jersey Devilsfrom 2013 to 2015. Kyle Okposowas captain of theBuffalo Sabresfrom 2022 to 2024.

Goaltender captains

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In NHL history, there have been sixgoaltenderswho served as official team captains:

Prior to the1948–49 season,the NHL made a change to the rules, prohibiting goaltenders from being captains or alternate captains. This was in response to complaints from opponents of the Montreal Canadiens, who complained that Durnan left his crease to argue with the referee at strategic points during games, resulting in unscheduled timeouts. This rule is sometimes referred to as the "Durnan Rule."[39]

Although the Canucks appointed goaltenderRoberto Luongoas team captain for the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons, since he could not be his team's official captain during games,Willie Mitchellwas the on-ice captain, serving as liaison to the officials, andHenrik SedinandMattias Ohlundperformed ceremonial aspects of the position such as pre-game faceoffs.[40]

See also

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References

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  • Duplacey, James (1996). Diamond, Dan (ed.).The annotated rules of hockey.Lyons & Burford.ISBN1-55821-466-6.
Notes
  1. ^National Hockey League(2023).Official Rules 2023-2024(PDF).New York City.p. 7.Archived(PDF)from the original on May 15, 2024.RetrievedJune 3,2024.Only the Captain, when invited to do so by the Referee, shall have the privilege of discussing any point relating to the interpretation of rules{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^National Collegiate Athletic Association(2022).2022-23 and 2023-24 Ice Hockey Rules Book(PDF).Indianapolis.p. 17.ISSN0735-9195.Archived(PDF)from the original on October 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 3,2024.One game captain shall be appointed by each team, and shall be the only player to have the privilege of discussing with the referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules that may arise during the progress of a game.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^Ontario Hockey League(2023).Official Rules 2023-2024(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on April 16, 2024.RetrievedJune 3,2024.
  4. ^ab"SI Flashback: Stanley Cup 1997".CNN.Archived fromthe originalon May 20, 2001.
  5. ^abcdInternational Ice Hockey Federation."IIHF Rule Book"(PDF).International Ice Hockey Federation.RetrievedOctober 18,2008.
  6. ^abcdNational Hockey League (2007)."National Hockey League Official Rules".Triumph Books. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 25, 2005.RetrievedOctober 20,2007.
  7. ^Price, Bill (September 20, 2023)."Role of NHL captain much more than fans 'C'".NHL.com.Nicholas J. Cotsonika and Amalie Benjamin were additional contributors.National Hockey League.Archivedfrom the original on September 28, 2023.RetrievedJune 3,2024.'I guess things that people don't know about the role is there's a lot of logistics that go along with it, a lot of planning and stuff like that, which I obviously never would have expected,' said Connor McDavid…. 'But day to day, I think you're always kind of just measuring the temperature in the room. You know, every day you're coming in and you're seeing where things are at and seeing if there's any way you can help or change it. That's kind of my day to day as a captain, just taking the temperature of the room.'
  8. ^ab"Daryl Sittler's longest year," Frank Orr,Toronto Star,March 16, 1980, p. C3.
  9. ^Frank Fitzpatrick (2000)."How it all began".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2007.RetrievedJuly 29,2007.
  10. ^"John Tortorella shares heartfelt message on Lightning retiring Vincent Lecavalier's number".BarDown.The Sports Network.February 17, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2024.RetrievedJune 3,2024.Lecavalier was prematurely named team captain at 19-year-old (sic), but was stripped out if by Torts after two seasons filled with confrontations and questions on Lecavalier's defensive acumen and his conditioning habits.
  11. ^"Daryl Sittler's longest year,"Frank Orr,Toronto Star,March 16, 1980, p. C3.
  12. ^"Maple Leaf forever? Sittler will stay put at least this season," Ken McKee,Toronto Star,March 8, 1980, p. C3.
  13. ^"Rule 6 – Captain and Alternate Captains"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on September 22, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 21,2018.
  14. ^Ontario Hockey League(2009)."Ontario Hockey League Official Rules 2009–2010".Archived fromthe original(PDF)on January 4, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 29,2010.
  15. ^Quebec Major Junior Hockey League(2009)."QMJHL Official Rules".Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 20, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 29,2010.
  16. ^Western Hockey League(2008)."Western Hockey League Official Rules 2008–2009".Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 24, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 29,2010.
  17. ^Hockey Canada(2008).Referee's Case Book/Rule Combination 2008–2010(PDF).Hockey Canada.ISBN978-1-897355-04-6.RetrievedJanuary 29,2010.
  18. ^abNational Collegiate Athletic Association (August 2008)."2008–10 NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations".NCAA Ice Hockey Rules.Indianapolis, Indiana: National Collegiate Athletic Association: 178.ISSN0735-9195.
  19. ^"Steve Yzerman".NHL.com. Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 16,2007.
  20. ^"McDavid's Dedication To Craft Leads To Captaincy".NHL.com. October 5, 2016.RetrievedOctober 6,2016.
  21. ^ab"Landeskog Named Avalanche Captain".The Associated Press via Yahoo Sports. August 15, 2013.RetrievedAugust 20,2013.Last September, he (Landeskog) became the youngest captain in league history at 19 years, 286 days, 11 days younger than Sidney Crosby was when he was named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007.
  22. ^"CROSBY BECOMES YOUNGEST CAPTAIN IN NHL HISTORY".May 31, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon June 2, 2009.RetrievedOctober 1,2008.
  23. ^"Pittsburgh Penguins – Recap: Pittsburgh @ Carolina – 10/05/2007".October 5, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon April 30, 2008.RetrievedOctober 1,2008.
  24. ^"Tampa Bay Lightning History 1999–2000".Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2007.RetrievedOctober 21,2008.
  25. ^"NHL.com Game Summary, Game 0888, Wednesday, March 1, 2000, Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning".RetrievedApril 15,2009.
  26. ^"Toews Named 34th Captain In Team History"(Press release). chicagoblackhawks.com. July 18, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2008.RetrievedOctober 18,2008.
  27. ^Burnside, Scott (October 10, 2008)."Too young to lead the Blackhawks? Toews says: Bring it on".ESPN.com.RetrievedOctober 18,2008.
  28. ^Ziehm, Len (October 10, 2008)."5 things Hawks must do on ice to make changes count".Chicago Sun-Times. Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2008.RetrievedOctober 18,2008.
  29. ^ESPN.com (October 10, 2008)."Box Score: Chicago vs. New York Rangers, October 10, 2008".ESPN.com.RetrievedOctober 18,2008.
  30. ^Detroit Free Press(2006). "Captain, My Captain".The Captain.Detroit Free Press.p. 25.ISBN978-1-57243-935-1.Red Wings coach Jacques Demers named Steve Yzerman team captain on October 7, 1986.
  31. ^1986–87 Detroit Red Wings seasonshowing their first game played on October 9, 1986 at theQuebec NordiquesandSteve Yzerman's career statsshowing he played in all 80 games that season.
  32. ^"Class of 1996, Jim Schoenfeld, Buffalo Sabres Defenseman".April 15, 2009.In September 1974, at age 22, Schoenfeld became the NHL's youngest captain...
  33. ^"1963 NHL DRAFT PICK, Gerry Meehan".April 15, 2009.Buffalo Captain: October 1971 to Oct. 14, 1974
  34. ^"Brian Bellows, 1982 NHL DRAFT PICK".RetrievedJuly 18,2008.Became youngest team captain in Minnesota history as a 19-year-old when he filled in for injured Craig Hartsburg after Hartsburg was injured on Jan. 10, 1984. Bellows continued to wear the "C" through the end of 1983–84 season.
  35. ^Roget, Stephan (October 8, 2019)."A History Of Canuck Captaincy Announcements".Canucksarmy.RetrievedSeptember 23,2022.
  36. ^Duplacey, James; Zweig, Eric (2010).Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame.Firefly Books. p.207.ISBN978-1-55407-662-8.
  37. ^"1979 draft pick – Dirk Graham".hockeydraftcentral.com.RetrievedDecember 10,2008.
  38. ^"Iginla becomes first black captain in NHL history".RetrievedFebruary 23,2009.
  39. ^TSN.CA STAFF (September 30, 2008)."CANUCKS NAME GOALTENDER LUONGO AS TEAM CAPTAIN".tsn.ca. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 23,2009.The Montreal Canadiens' Bill Durnan was the last goaltender to serve as captain in the 1947–48 season. Prior to 1948–49, the NHL passed a rule prohibiting goalies to act as captain or assistants in what could be called the "Durnan Rule." The Canadiens keeper left his crease so much to argue calls that opponents protested saying that Durnan's actions gave the Canadiens unscheduled timeouts during strategic points in games.
  40. ^"Next captain of the Canucks is Luongo".September 30, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2008.RetrievedOctober 1,2008.
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