A captain in ice hockey is the player designated by his team as the only person authorized to speak with the game officials regarding rule interpretations when he is on the ice.
At most levels of play each team must designate one captain and a number of alternate captains (usually two) who speak to the officials when the captain is on the bench.
The captain wears a "C" on his sweater while the alternate captains wear an "A".
Officially the captain has no other responsibility or authority although he 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 designate captains, the captain is usually a well-respected player and a de facto team leader.
Alternate Captain[]
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 no captain.
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 the 1969–70 season, the Boston Bruins had three alternate captains (Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito and Ed 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 the Stanley Cup when the team won the championship in 1970 and 1972.
NHL Captains[]
Alternate Captains[]
Team | Alternate Captain(s) | Since | Pos |
---|---|---|---|
Anaheim Ducks | Corey Perry | 2014–15 | RW |
Ryan Kesler | 2015–16 | C | |
Arizona Coyotes | Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 2014–15 | D |
Martin Hanzal | 2011–12 | C | |
Boston Bruins | Patrice Bergeron | 2006–07 | C |
Chris Kelly | 2011–12 | C | |
David Krejci | 2013–14 | C | |
Buffalo Sabres | Tyler Ennis | 2015–16 | C |
Josh Gorges | 2014–15 | D | |
Ryan O'Reilly | 2015–16 | C | |
Calgary Flames | Sean Monahan | 2015–16 | C |
Dennis Wideman | 2014–15 | D | |
Carolina Hurricanes | Justin Faulk | 2015–16 | D |
Jordan Staal | 2012–13 | C | |
Chicago Blackhawks | Duncan Keith | 2008–09 | D |
Brent Seabrook | 2015-16 | D | |
Colorado Avalanche | Jarome Iginla | 2014–15 | RW |
Cody McLeod | 2013–14 | LW | |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Brandon Dubinsky | 2012–13 | C |
Boone Jenner | 2015–16 | C | |
Dallas Stars | Vernon Fiddler | 2014–15 | C |
Alex Goligoski | 2015–16 | D | |
Detroit Red Wings | Pavel Datsyuk | 2006–07 | C |
Niklas Kronwall | 2011–12 | D | |
Edmonton Oilers | Jordan Eberle | 2012–13 | RW |
Andrew Ference | 2015–16 | D | |
Taylor Hall | 2012–13 | LW | |
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 2015–16 | C | |
Florida Panthers | Dave Bolland | 2014–15 | C |
Brian Campbell | 2011–12 | D | |
Jussi Jokinen | 2015–16 | LW | |
Derek MacKenzie | 2014–15 | C | |
Los Angeles Kings | Matt Greene | 2008–09 | D |
Anze Kopitar | C | ||
Minnesota Wild | Zach Parise | 2012–13 | LW |
Ryan Suter | 2012–13 | D | |
Montreal Canadiens | Brendan Gallagher | 2015–16 | RW |
Andrei Markov | 2008–09 | D | |
Tomas Plekanec | 2014–15 | C | |
P. K. Subban | 2014–15 | D | |
Nashville Predators | Mike Fisher | 2011–12 | C |
Roman Josi | 2015–16 | D | |
James Neal | 2014–15 | LW | |
New Jersey Devils | Michael Cammalleri | 2015–16 | LW |
Patrik Elias | 2007–08 | LW | |
Adam Henrique | 2015–16 | C | |
Travis Zajac | 2013–14 | C | |
New York Islanders | Frans Nielsen | 2014–15 | C |
Kyle Okposo | 2009–10 | RW | |
New York Rangers | Daniel Girardi | 2013–14 | D |
Marc Staal | 2010–11 | D | |
Derek Stepan | 2014–15 | C | |
Ottawa Senators | Chris Neil | 2013–14 | RW |
Chris Phillips | 2006–07 | D | |
Kyle Turris | 2015–16 | C | |
Philadelphia Flyers | Wayne Simmonds | 2014–15 | RW |
Mark Streit | 2014–15 | D | |
Pittsburgh Penguins | Chris Kunitz | 2012–13 | LW |
Evgeni Malkin | 2008–09 | C | |
St. Louis Blues | Alex Pietrangelo | 2012–13 | D |
Alexander Steen | 2011–12 | LW | |
San Jose Sharks | Logan Couture | 2015–16 | C |
Joe Thornton | 2014–15 | C | |
Tampa Bay Lightning | Ryan Callahan | 2014–15 | RW |
rotating | |||
Toronto Maple Leafs | Tyler Bozak | 2015–16 | C |
Matt Hunwick | 2015–16 | D | |
Vancouver Canucks | Alexandre Burrows | 2015–16 | RW |
Dan Hamhuis | 2015–16 | D | |
Daniel Sedin | 2010–11 | LW | |
Washington Capitals | Nicklas Backstrom | 2010–11 | C |
Brooks Orpik | 2014–15 | D | |
Winnipeg Jets | Mark Stuart | 2011–12 | D |
Blake Wheeler | 2014–15 | RW |