Jonathan Toews Named Captain

[Smitty34 0]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243725&amp...s=headlines_nhl

Third youngest player to be named captain. Your thoughts on the decision?

[RadioGaGa 162]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243725&amp...s=headlines_nhl

Third youngest player to be named captain. Your thoughts on the decision?

Who else on that roster is worthy? Sopel and Lang are the only 2 (really established) Veterans...and I don't really see either of them wearing a "C". Toews is expected to lead them on the ice....why not off the ice as well.

Shades of Stevie Y? Make him Captain early...and with this new trend to long (long) term contracts...maybe they keep around a long time too.

Ass'ts: Sopel....Maybe Seabrook & Kane ?!?!? That's a young core of leadership right there.

[chef_ducky 0]

That makes sense, as Radio stated, keep him long term, and they know they will have offensive talent for years to come!

[Smitty34 0]

I like the idea of having a leader that they might have for many years to come as well.

As far as alternate captains, I was thinking maybe Keith and Kane perhaps? I can see Seabrook as well.

[adam14 182]

just curious,who were the twoyoungesst before him?

[Smitty34 0]

just curious,who were the twoyoungesst before him?

Crosby and Lecavalier

[pantherfan 0]

Crosby and Lecavalier I think.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Crosby and Lecavalier I think.

Lecavalier is mentioned in the article as one of the youngest players being made Captain, but wasn't Yzerman younger than him? Crosby is the youngest to be named Captain.

(from wiki)

Steve Yzerman served as the captain of the Detroit Red Wings for twenty seasons (1986–87 season to 2005–06 season), the longest term in the history of the NHL.[4] Charlie Gardiner was the first captain born in Europe to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title (1934), Lars-Erik Sjoberg was the first NHL captain born and trained in Europe, while Nicklas Lidstrom was the first captain born and trained in Europe to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title (2008).

The youngest permanent captain in NHL history is Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who became captain on May 31, 2007 at 19 years, 244 days.[5] During his tenure with the North Stars, Brian Bellows served as interim captain from January 1984 until May 1984, becoming (at 19 years and 4 months) the youngest captain ever in the NHL (a distinction often incorrectly attributed to Sidney Crosby, who was 19 years and 9 months old when named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and over 20 years old before playing his first game as captain).

Also from wiki

Vincent Lecavalier was drafted first overall by Tampa Bay in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, during which new Lightning owner Art Williams proclaimed that Lecavalier would be "the Michael Jordan of hockey".[1]

On March 11, 2000, following his sophomore season, he was named captain, becoming the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years and 11 months (since surpassed by Sidney Crosby). Previously, Steve Yzerman had held that honour, having been named captain of the Detroit Red Wings at 21 years, 5 months.[2]

So there you have it.

[pantherfan 0]

I know he was the youngest at the time but I thought he was in his 20's when he got it, not sure, it's late and I think I might give this beauty sleep thing a try.

G' night!

Edit: Damn you and you fast editting... :P

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

I know this isn't the crux of the thread, but it really bugs me when people say "Assistant Captain". It's ALTERNATE CAPTAIN.

Like I said, not important, just a HUGE pet peeve of mine. <_<

[RadioGaGa 162]

Edit: Damn you and you fast editting... :P

If only I had such good hands on the ice *L*

[QandA 0]

I believe it was here that I read that the only reason Crosby was the youngest was cause the Pens named him Captain early in the summer or something to beat the previous youngest captain. It was something along those lines I think.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I believe it was here that I read that the only reason Crosby was the youngest was cause the Pens named him Captain early in the summer or something to beat the previous youngest captain. It was something along those lines I think.

It was...4 posts above you in fact.

[gxc999 7]

I'm not surprised to see this. I had Kane, Toews, Byfuglien and J Williams on my fantasy teams at various times last yr. I heard back then they were already considering naming Toews captain prior to his injury. He's a heckuva talent and leadership material as well. The Hawks are on the right track.

[QandA 0]

I believe it was here that I read that the only reason Crosby was the youngest was cause the Pens named him Captain early in the summer or something to beat the previous youngest captain. It was something along those lines I think.

It was...4 posts above you in fact.

Basically what I was trying to say is they named Sid the captain in May to gain credibility and make him the youngest captain ever, rather than wait a little longer and not have the record.

[booyaagrandma 4]

It will be interesting to see how he handles it.Its a lot of responsibility for a young player,good luck to him :)

[Aussie Joe 0]

Hopefully he goes the way of Crosby and not Lecavalier. Some guys have the ability to lead and score points. Some have to pick one or the other. Its a big burden for a young lad. I wonder how the Hawks will develop his leadership skills further? Time will tell...

[gxc999 7]

Hopefully he goes the way of Crosby and not Lecavalier. Some guys have the ability to lead and score points. Some have to pick one or the other. Its a big burden for a young lad. I wonder how the Hawks will develop his leadership skills further? Time will tell...

Admittedly, Vinny doesn't lead with fiery speeches. Generally however, he leads by example. Not that many superstars get into fights and block shots when they're up a goal. I used to think the same way as you, and I've watched many hundreds of Lightning games. However, after finding out all the injuries he played through this season for a team in last place, I was extremely impressed. Don't doubt that man.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Brian Bellows was named captain of the Minnesota North Stars in Jan 1984, at 19 years 4 months. Crosby was named captain of the Pens in May 2007, at 19 years 244 days, which is 19 years, 8 months. Bellows only served as interim captain, but was captain until the end of the 84 season. Crosby is the youngest PERMANENT captain in the NHL, not the youngest captain ever.

Just in the interest of nit-picking full disclosure :lol:

[Slapshot9123 0]

I still think Sharp should be the captain of the hawks. Im glad Towes has it but, Sharp has everything we could want in one. Sharp should have the alternate this year.

[Aussie Joe 0]

Admittedly, Vinny doesn't lead with fiery speeches. Generally however, he leads by example. Not that many superstars get into fights and block shots when they're up a goal. I used to think the same way as you, and I've watched many hundreds of Lightning games. However, after finding out all the injuries he played through this season for a team in last place, I was extremely impressed. Don't doubt that man.

Not doubting the man, just the decision to place him with the C so early. Some are great leaders, some take time. It was obvious Vinny needed that extra time. Doesn't make him a worse player or captain, just more of a human being thats all. It wouldn't suprise me if they handed him the C again and he made good on the job. He's on a long term deal now so its probably in the works.

[BMcDonald19 0]

maybe my opinion is basis because toews didnt play much of the year. but patty kane I thought would have gotten the C before toews

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

maybe my opinion is basis because toews didnt play much of the year. but patty kane I thought would have gotten the C before toews

From the very limited play I've seen of both those guys, Toews seems like a more natural leader to me, from college and from his play in the league.

Even in a recent article on msnbc about the blackhawks being players in free agency, it notes a story where kane and toews were sitting on the bench with an announced crowd of 7199 or something for a columbus game in october, Toews turned to kane and said "we've got to fill this place up"

While I'm delighted the caps got Backstrom and he is working out great, I was hoping they would have got Toews at that draft.

Like I say nothing against backstrom, and I love him as a cap, but with very limited knowledge on both, apart from a few clips and few articles I was liking what I read/heard/saw about Toews more

[razrbladz12 0]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything about Brian Campbell. Not necessarily to wear the "C" but he might be another one of those young guys who could wear at least an "A"

[RadioGaGa 162]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything about Brian Campbell. Not necessarily to wear the "C" but he might be another one of those young guys who could wear at least an "A"

I'm not a fan of guys joining a team and being given a letter. There are exceptions (Gretz, obv.) but I think you gotta earn it.