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List of current NHL captains and alternate captains

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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"s 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 1989–90 Edmonton Oilers and the 1993–94 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

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 †  Spent entire NHL career with team

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

Captains

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Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals since 2010
Gabriel Landeskog, captain of the Colorado Avalanche since 2012
Jamie Benn, captain of the Dallas Stars since 2013

Thirty-one of the thirty-two NHL teams currently have a captain. The sole team without a captain is the New York Rangers. Twenty-four of the thirty-one captains 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 that role since May 31, 2007.

List of current NHL Captains
Team Captain Since Pos
Anaheim Ducks Radko Gudas 2024–25[10] D
Boston Bruins Brad Marchand† 2023–24[11] LW
Buffalo Sabres Rasmus Dahlin† 2024–25[12] D
Calgary Flames Mikael Backlund† 2023–24[13] C
Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Staal 2019–20[14] C
Chicago Blackhawks Nick Foligno 2024–25[15] LW
Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog† 2012–13[16] LW
Columbus Blue Jackets Boone Jenner† 2021–22[17] C
Dallas Stars Jamie Benn† 2013–14[18] LW
Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin† 2020–21[19] C
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid† 2016–17[7] C
Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov† 2018–19[20] C
Los Angeles Kings Anze Kopitar† 2016–17[21] C
Minnesota Wild Jared Spurgeon† 2020–21[22] D
Montreal Canadiens Nick Suzuki† 2022–23[23] C
Nashville Predators Roman Josi† 2017–18[24] D
New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier† 2020–21[25] C
New York Islanders Anders Lee† 2018–19[26] LW
New York Rangers Vacant 2024–25[a] —
Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk† 2021–22[27] LW
Philadelphia Flyers Sean Couturier† 2023–24[28] C
Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby† 2007–08[29] C
San Jose Sharks Logan Couture† 2019–20[30] C
Seattle Kraken Jordan Eberle 2024–25[31] RW
St. Louis Blues Brayden Schenn 2023–24[32] C
Tampa Bay Lightning Victor Hedman† 2024–25[33] D
Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews† 2024–25[34] C
Utah Hockey Club Clayton Keller 2024–25[35] LW
Vancouver Canucks Quinn Hughes† 2023–24[36] D
Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone 2020–21[37] RW
Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin† 2009–10[38] LW
Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry† 2023–24[39] C
  1. ^ Most recent captain, Jacob Trouba, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2024.

Alternate captains

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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

All thirty-two NHL teams have named at least the regulation two alternate captains. Of the eighty-three alternate captains, forty-three of them have been with their team for their entire NHL career. Teams that have named more than the regulation two alternate captains (or three in the case of teams without a captain) 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 that role since 2008.

List of current NHL alternate captains
Team Alternate captain(s) Since Pos
Anaheim Ducks Alex Killorn 2023–24 LW
Ryan Strome 2024–25 C
Boston Bruins
Charlie McAvoy† 2023–24[11] D
David Pastrnak† 2023–24[11] RW
Buffalo Sabres Dylan Cozens† 2024–25 C
Mattias Samuelsson† 2024–25 D
Tage Thompson 2024–25 C
Alex Tuch 2024–25 RW
Calgary Flames
Rasmus Andersson† 2023–24[40] D
Blake Coleman 2024–25 RW
Nazem Kadri 2024–25 C
Jonathan Huberdeau 2022–23[40] LW
MacKenzie Weegar 2024–25 D
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho† 2021–22 C
Jordan Martinook 2019–20[41] LW
Jaccob Slavin† 2019–20[42] D
Chicago Blackhawks
Seth Jones 2022–23 D
Connor Murphy 2021–22 D
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon† 2016–17 C
Mikko Rantanen† 2021–22 RW
Columbus Blue Jackets
Erik Gudbranson 2023–24 D
Sean Kuraly 2023–24 C
Zach Werenski† 2021–22[43] D
Dallas Stars
Miro Heiskanen† 2022–23 D
Roope Hintz† 2024–25 C
Esa Lindell† 2019–20 D
Tyler Seguin 2017–18 C
Detroit Red Wings Rotating 2024–25 —
—
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl† 2019–20[44] C
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins† 2015–16[45] C
Darnell Nurse† 2019–20[46] D
Florida Panthers
Aaron Ekblad† 2016–17 D
Matthew Tkachuk 2022–23 RW
Los Angeles Kings Phillip Danault 2022–23 C
Drew Doughty† 2016–17 D
Minnesota Wild Marcus Foligno 2021–22 LW
Kirill Kaprizov† 2023–24 LW
Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Gallagher† 2015–16[47] RW
Mike Matheson 2023–24[48] D
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg† 2024–25 LW
Ryan O'Reilly 2023–24 C
New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes† 2022–23 C
Ondrej Palat 2022–23 LW
New York Islanders
Bo Horvat 2024–25 C
Brock Nelson† 2023–24 C
New York Rangers
Adam Fox† 2023–24 D
Chris Kreider† 2017–18 LW
Artemi Panarin 2020–21 LW
Mika Zibanejad 2018–19 C
Ottawa Senators
Thomas Chabot† 2019–20 D
Claude Giroux 2022–23 RW
Philadelphia Flyers
Travis Konecny† 2023–24[49] RW
Scott Laughton† 2022–23[50] C
Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang† 2017–18 D
Evgeni Malkin† 2008–09 C
San Jose Sharks Mario Ferraro† 2021–22 D
Barclay Goodrow 2024–25 C
Mikael Granlund 2024–25 C
Luke Kunin 2024–25 RW
Tyler Toffoli 2024–25 RW
Seattle Kraken Matty Beniers† 2024–25 C
Yanni Gourde 2021–22 C
Adam Larsson 2021–22 D
Jaden Schwartz 2021–22 LW
St. Louis Blues Justin Faulk 2023–24[32] D
Colton Parayko† 2020–21 D
Robert Thomas† 2023–24[32] C
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov† 2022–23 RW
Ryan McDonagh 2024–25 D
Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner† 2019–20 RW
Morgan Rielly† 2016–17 D
John Tavares 2024–25[34] C
Utah Hockey Club Lawson Crouse 2024–25 LW
Rotating 2024–25 —
Vancouver Canucks J. T. Miller 2021–22[51] C
Elias Pettersson† 2022–23[51] C
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel 2023–24 C
William Karlsson 2023–24 C
Alex Pietrangelo 2020–21 D
Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom† 2010–11 C
John Carlson† 2019–20[52] D
T. J. Oshie 2023–24[53] RW
Tom Wilson† 2023–24[53] RW
Winnipeg Jets
Josh Morrissey† 2019–20 D
Mark Scheifele† 2016–17 C

See also

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References

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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. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ^ "Gudas named Ducks captain, replaces Getzlaf". NHL.com. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Marchand named Bruins captain, replaces Bergeron". nhl.com. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Dahlin named Sabres captain, replaces Okposo". NHL.com. September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Flames PR (September 27, 2023). "Flames Extend Backlund, Name Him 21st Franchise Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  14. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  15. ^ "Nick Foligno Named as 35th Captain in Blackhawks Franchise History". Chicago Blackhawks. September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Landeskog Named Avalanche Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  17. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  18. ^ "Jamie Benn Appointed Captain of the Dallas Stars". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  19. ^ "Red Wings name Dylan Larkin captain". National Hockey League. 13 January 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "Aleksander Barkov Named Captain of the Florida Panthers". National Hockey League. 17 September 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Kings name Kopitar team captain". TSN. 16 June 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  22. ^ "Spurgeon named captain of Wild, replaces Koivu". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  23. ^ "Nick Suzuki named 31st captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Roman Josi Named Captain of the Nashville Predators". National Hockey League. 19 September 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. ^ "Hischier named captain of Devils". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  26. ^ "Lee named captain of Islanders". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  27. ^ "Senators name Brady Tkachuk 10th team captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  28. ^ "Flyers Name Sean Couturier 20th Captain in Franchise History". Philadelphia Flyers. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Penguins Name Crosby As Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  30. ^ "Couture named captain of Sharks, replaces Pavelski". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. ^ "Kraken Name Jordan Eberle Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Schenn named Blues captain, replaces O'Reilly". nhl.com. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  33. ^ "Lightning name Victor Hedman the 11th captain in franchise history". nhl.com. September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  34. ^ a b McCarthy, Dave (August 14, 2024). "Matthews named Maple Leafs captain, replaces Tavares". NHL.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Keller named 1st captain in Utah history". www.nhl.com. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  36. ^ "Introducing 'Captain Quinn'". NHL.com. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "Mark Stone Gets the C". National Hockey League. 13 January 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  38. ^ "Capitals Name Alex Ovechkin Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  39. ^ "Adam Lowry named Jets captain". Winnipeg Jets. September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Flames announce leadership group for 2023-24 season". sportsnet.ca. October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  41. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  42. ^ Canes PR (September 29, 2019). "Canes Name Jordan Staal as Team Captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  43. ^ "CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  44. ^ "Edmonton Oilers name Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as alternate captains". Oilers Nation. October 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  45. ^ "Oilers name alternate captains for 2015-16 season". Edmonton Oilers. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  46. ^ "Edmonton Oilers name Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as alternate captains". Oilers Nation. October 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  47. ^ "Brian Gionta becomes the 28th captain in Canadiens history". National Hockey League. September 29, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  48. ^ "Mike Matheson named alternate captain". nhl.com. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  49. ^ "Flyers Name Sean Couturier 20th Captain in Franchise History". Philadelphia Flyers. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  50. ^ Hall, Jordan (November 8, 2022). "Tortorella, Laughton starting to build relationship between coach, leader". Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  51. ^ a b "Canucks' Hughes and Pettersson join Miller and Ekman-Larsson as alternate captains". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  52. ^ "Capitals name defenseman John Carlson an alternate captain". The Washington Post. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  53. ^ a b Oland, Ian (November 2, 2023). "Tom Wilson and TJ Oshie will share the second alternate captain's 'A' with Nicklas Backstrom away from the Capitals". RMNB.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.

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