Captain (ice hockey)

The team captain is the only player in hockey, where it is allowed according to the rules in ice hockey, to speak to the referee about his interpretation of the rules. It is characterized by a "C" on the chest, in the Russian-speaking countries with a " К ". The captain is considered by fans and media as a representative of the team and face of the team. In addition, he is the one who represents the whole team against the coach or the management, when it comes to the interests of the players. In addition, Hockey clubs may have up to two assistant captains, representing the -budgetary captain in his absence. A captain is also a source of strength for young players who are to be integrated into the team.

Selection process

Most of the team management or the coach selects the captain, but in some teams the players choose their captain. Team captains are very often players with experience who also have longer members of the team. Each player can be chosen to captain, with the exception of the goalkeeper. The selection is considered as a special moment, as this playing style and the image of the team may change.

The "C" is a special symbol and an honor for any player. However, it also brings with it a responsibility to be the leader of the team. The captain is the player who has the right to talk with the referees when there are contentious situations during a game. In addition, he is the link between the coach and team. How important is the office, you can see some examples: So the 19 -year-old Vincent Lecavalier from the team owner of the NHL team Tampa Bay Lightning was established in 2000 appointed captain. Lecavalier failed and the expertise of the team owner was questioned. Eric Lindros in Philadelphia lost his captaincy when he criticized the medical department of the team.

Assistant captains

Teams may have up to two assistant captains. If the captain is not on the ice, should an assistant captain, who is currently in the game, take on the role of the captain and speak to the referees. They also take on the role, if the captain is injured, against himself just a sentence has been pronounced or no captain has been named. The assistant captains wear an "A" on the chest. There are even teams competing complete without a captain and instead have three assistant captains, as was the case in the NHL during the 2007/08 season with the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Tampa Bay Lightning even went the first three years of its existence without a captain in the seasons.

History

In the 1947/48 season, the National Hockey League ordered all teams to feature their team captains with a "C " and their assistants with an "A ". After an injury of Toe Blake took over goalkeeper Bill Durnan the "C" of the captain for the Montreal Canadiens. He was not the first goalkeeper, who had the role of the captain, but the only one who wore the "C" on the jersey.

The NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF, however, changed in the summer of 1948, the rules so that no goalkeeper could be more captain. The reason for this was the game delayed, as the keeper had to run in part to the other end of the ice to talk to the referee. In the fall of 2008 was the first time appointed a goalkeeper to captain an NHL team with Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, but he may not the "C" wear still discussing with the referee and must be represented on the ice in the captain's role by fielders.

The player, who was captain of a team in the history of the NHL 's longest, Steve Yzerman, who wore the "C" of the Detroit Red Wings from 1986 to 2006. He is followed by Ray Bourque, captain of the Boston Bruins from 1985 to 2000, Mario Lemieux, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins 1987-1994, 1995-1997 and 2001-2005, and Joe Sakic, captain of the Quebec Nordiques / Colorado Avalanche franchise from 1990 to 1991 and 1992 through 2009.

Special

Several teams changed their captain in the past month, as the Buffalo Sabres in the seasons 2003/ 04 and 2007/ 08 as well as the Minnesota wild among 2000 and 2009.

A similar system also pursued the San Jose Sharks in the first half of the season 2003/ 04 after the departure of longtime captain Owen Nolan. There, changed the "C" all ten games before we firmly lay down on Patrick Marleau.

The Buffalo Sabres alternated 2005-2007 Chris Drury and Daniel Briere as captain from. The one of the two who was not wearing the "C" in a game that acted as assistant captain.

On September 4, 2012 Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche at the age of 19 years and 286 days, was appointed the youngest captain in the NHL history. He was at his appointment exactly eleven days younger than Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had set up this record on 31 May 2007. Brian Bellows was even younger than in January 1984, he took over the position as team captain by Craig Hart Petersburg injury and held until the end of the season. However, Bellows is guided into the record lists only as an interim captain.

Team captain in the 2013/14 National Hockey League season

• Hockey position
• National Hockey League