List of current NHL captains and alternate captains

Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2007

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league with 32 teams founded in 1917. Each team can select a captain, who has the "sole privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game".[1][2] Each team is also allowed to pick alternate captains, who work when the captain is not on the ice.[1] Captains have to wear the letter "C" on their uniform to show who they are; alternate captains wear the letter "A". Both letters are 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height.[1]

Some teams in the NHL do not have a captain. Rule 6.2 of the 2008–09 Official NHL Rulebook says 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] Many NHL teams with a captain select more than two alternate captains and change who wears the "A" for different games during the season.[3]

Goaltenders are not allowed to be captains during games.[1] This rule was made in 1948 after teams did not like that it took Montreal Canadiens goaltender Bill Durnan too long to skate to talk with the officials and back to his crease.[4] However, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo was the team's captain, but because of the NHL rule against goaltender captains, the league did not allow Luongo to act as captain on-ice.[5] Because of this, the Canucks were allowed to have three alternate captains in games, instead of two that most teams have.[5] Two (of the three) alternate captains took care of Luongo's on-ice work: Willie Mitchell (then alternate captain) talked to the officials.[5] Luongo was not allowed to wear the "C" on his jersey, but it was part of the artwork on the front of his mask.[4] Other than Durnan and Luongo, five other goaltenders have been captain o their team: John Ross Roach of the Toronto St. Patricks, George Hainsworth of the Montreal Canadiens, Roy Worters of the New York Americans, Alex Connell of the 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. 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. Mark Messier is the only player to captain two separate teams to Stanley Cup championships, those being the 1990Edmonton Oilers and the 1994 New York Rangers. Sidney Crosby also became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. The oldest permanent captain in league history was Mark Messier of the New York Rangers, who turned 43 years old, during his last NHL season, 2003–04. 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) twenty years.

Key

 †  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-one NHL teams currently have a captain. The five teams without a captain are the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and the Vegas Golden Knights. 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 Getzlaf† 2010–11[7] C
Arizona Coyotes Oliver Ekman-Larsson† 2018–19[8] D
Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron† 2020–21[9] C
Buffalo Sabres Jack Eichel† 2018–19[10] C
Calgary Flames Mark Giordano† 2013–14[11] D
Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Staal 2019–20[12] C
Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews† 2008–09[13] C
Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog† 2012–13[14] LW
Columbus Blue Jackets Nick Foligno 2015–16[15] LW/C
Dallas Stars Jamie Benn† 2013–14[16] LW
Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin† 2020–21[17] C
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid† 2016–17 C
Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov† 2018–19[18] C
Los Angeles Kings Anze Kopitar† 2016–17[19] C
Minnesota Wild Jared Spurgeon† 2020–21[20] D
Montreal Canadiens Shea Weber 2018–19[21] D
Nashville Predators Roman Josi† 2017–18[22] D
New Jersey Devils Vacant 2019–20 —
New York Islanders Anders Lee† 2018–19[23] LW
New York Rangers Vacant 2017–18 —
Ottawa Senators Vacant 2018–19 —
Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux† 2012–13[24] C
Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby† 2007–08[25] C
San Jose Sharks Logan Couture† 2019–20[26] C
St. Louis Blues Ryan O'Reilly 2020–21[27] C
Tampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos† 2013–14[28] C
Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares 2019–20[29] C
Vancouver Canucks Bo Horvat† 2019–20[30] C
Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone 2020–21[31] RW
Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin† 2009–10[32] LW
Winnipeg Jets Blake Wheeler 2016–17[33] RW

Alternate captains

Evgeni Malkin, the longest tenured alternate captain in the NHL, and alternate captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2008
Duncan Keith, alternate captain of the Chicago Blackhawks since 2008
Nicklas Backstrom, alternate captain of the Washington Capitals since 2010

Thirty of the thirty-one NHL teams have named at least the regulation two alternate captains. The one team having less than the regulation two named alternate captains is the Buffalo Sabres. Of the eighty alternate captains, forty-nine of them have been with their team for entire career. Teams that have named more than the regulation two alternate captains, excluding those without a captain, are required to rotate the two "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 Ryan Kesler 2015–16 C
Josh Manson† 2019–20 D
Jakob Silfverberg 2019–20 RW
Arizona Coyotes Niklas Hjalmarsson 2017–18[34] D
Phil Kessel 2019–20 RW
Boston Bruins David Krejci† 2013–14[35] C
Brad Marchand† 2020–21 RW
Buffalo Sabres Jake McCabe† 2019–20 D
Kyle Okposo 2020–21 RW
Calgary Flames Mikael Backlund† 2018–19 C
Sean Monahan† 2015–16 C
Matthew Tkachuk† 2018–19 LW
Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Martinook 2019–20[12] C
Jaccob Slavin† 2019–20[12] D
Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane† 2019–20 RW
Duncan Keith† 2008–09[36] D
Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen RW
Cale Makar D
Nathan MacKinnon† C
Columbus Blue Jackets
Cam Atkinson† 2018–19[37] LW
Boone Jenner† 2015–16 C
Seth Jones 2018–19[37] D
Dallas Stars
Blake Comeau 2019–20[38] RW
John Klingberg† 2017–18 D
Esa Lindell† 2019–20 D
Tyler Seguin 2017–18 C
Detroit Red Wings Luke Glendening† 2019–20 C
Frans Nielsen 2018–19 C
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl† 2019–20[39] C
Adam Larsson 2017–18[40] D
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins† 2015–16[41] C
Darnell Nurse† 2019–20[39] D
Florida Panthers
Aaron Ekblad † 2016–17 D
Jonathan Huberdeau † 2018–19 LW
Keith Yandle 2017–18 D
Los Angeles Kings Jeff Carter 2015–16 C/RW
Drew Doughty† 2016–17 D
Minnesota Wild Zach Parise 2012–13[42] LW
Ryan Suter 2012–13[42] D
Montreal Canadiens Paul Byron 2018–19[21] LW
Brendan Gallagher† 2015–16[43] RW
Nashville Predators
Mattias Ekholm† 2017–18 D
Ryan Ellis† 2017–18 D
Filip Forsberg† 2017–18 LW
Ryan Johansen 2017–18 C
New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier† 2019–20 C
Kyle Palmieri 2017–18 C
Damon Severson† 2020–21 D
Travis Zajac† 2013–14 C
New York Islanders
Josh Bailey† 2018–19 RW
Cal Clutterbuck 2016–17[44] RW
New York Rangers
Chris Kreider† 2017–18 LW
Artemi Panarin 2020–21 LW
Jacob Trouba 2020–21 D
Mika Zibanejad 2018–19 C
Ottawa Senators
Thomas Chabot† 2019–20 D
Erik Gudbranson 2020–21 D
Brady Tkachuk† 2020–21 LW
Philadelphia Flyers
Sean Couturier† 2018–19 C
Kevin Hayes 2019–20[45] C
Ivan Provorov† 2020–21[46] D
Jakub Voracek 2018–19[47] RW
Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang† 2017–18 D
Evgeni Malkin† 2008–09[48] C
San Jose Sharks
Brent Burns 2019–20 D
Tomas Hertl† 2019–20 C
Erik Karlsson 2019–20 D
Patrick Marleau 2020–21 LW
St. Louis Blues
Colton Parayko† 2020–21 D
Brayden Schenn 2020–21 C
Vladimir Tarasenko† 2016–17 RW
Tampa Bay Lightning Victor Hedman† 2017–18 D
Ryan McDonagh 2018–19 D
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner† 2019–20 RW
Auston Matthews† 2019–20 C
Morgan Rielly† 2016–17 D
Vancouver Canucks Alexander Edler† 2016–17 D
Brandon Sutter 2016–17 C
Vegas Golden Knights
Alex Pietrangelo 2020–21 D
Reilly Smith 2017–18 RW
Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom† 2010–11 C
John Carlson† 2019–20[49] D
Winnipeg Jets
Josh Morrissey† 2019–20 D
Mark Scheifele† 2016–17 C

Notes

  • a Player is currently on the injured reserve list
  • b Player is injured and expected to miss the remainder of the season.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rule 6 - Captain and Alternate Captains". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  2. ↑ Rossi, Rob (2008-10-02). "The A-B-Cs of the 'C' and 'A'". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  3. ↑ "Kings' Brown, Sabres' Rivet named captains". Canwest News Service. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  4. 1 2 "Luongo sports captain's 'C' on goalie mask". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
  5. 1 2 3 "Canucks name goaltender Luongo as team captain". The Sports Network. 2008-09-30. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  6. ↑ Joe Pelletier (2008-09-30). "Captain Puckstopper". Joe Pelletier. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
  7. ↑ "Ducks Name Getzlaf Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Ekman-Larsson named Coyotes Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Bruins Name Patrice Bergeron 20th Captain In Team History". National Hockey League.
  10. ↑ "Eichel named Sabres Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Flames name Giordano captain". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 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. ↑ "Earned, not given: Foligno's rise makes him 'obvious choice' for captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Lee named captain of Islanders". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Claude Giroux named Captain of the Flyers". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Penguins Name Crosby As Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Couture named captain of Sharks, replaces Pavelski". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  27. ↑ "O'Reilly named captain of Blues". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Lightning Name Steven Stamkos the 10th Captain in Franchise History". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Tavares named captain of Maple Leafs, first in three seasons". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Bo Horvat Named 14th Captain of the Canucks". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Mark Stone Gets the C". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Capitals Name Alex Ovechkin Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Blake Wheeler named captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Coyotes Announce Leadership Group for 2017-18 Season". AZ Central. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  35. ↑ "David Krejci Named Bruins' Third Alternate Captain, Taking Andrew Ference's Spot". WBZ-TV. October 1, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  36. ↑ Kempenaar, Adam (October 8, 2008). "Keith, Sharp Earn A's". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  37. 1 2 https://www.facebook.com/bluejacketsnhl/photos/a.131741573917/10156129252318918/?type=3&theater
  38. ↑ "'All heart': Letter won't change how Comeau plays, leads".
  39. 1 2 "Edmonton Oilers name Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as alternate captains". Oilers Nation. October 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  40. ↑ "BLOG: A is for Adam". Edmonton Oilers. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  41. ↑ "Oilers name alternate captains for 2015-16 season". Edmonton Oilers. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  42. 1 2 Halford, Mike (July 9, 2012). "Minnesota introduces Parise and Suter — its new alternate captains". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Brian Gionta becomes the 28th captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. September 29, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Islanders Alternate Captains Ladd, Hamonic, Clutterbuck". 12 October 2016.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. ↑ Hall, Jordan (January 12, 2021). "Flyers Set 2021 Opening Night Roster and Captains". Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  47. ↑ Driver, Steph (February 28, 2018). "Jake Voracek is announced as Flyers alternate captain". Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  48. ↑ Rossi, Rob (October 3, 2008). "Orpik, Malkin named Penguins' alternate captains". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Capitals name defenseman John Carlson an alternate captain". The Washington Post. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
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