There is no other professional sport that utilizes the team captain more than the sport of hockey. Other than determining pregame coin flips, or possibly determining who’s mother brings the oranges and Capri Suns for halftime, the captains in the four other major sports are basically figureheads.
The NFL got smart a few years back, sewing a captain’s “C” on an offensive and defensive player to connote the field leader for officials. Hmmmm, where have I seen that before? Let’s face it though, unless it’s the quarterback of the team, the biggest decision made by an NFL captain is choosing “heads” or “tails”.
The history of captains in the NHL is a long and storied one that I encourage you to read on your own time. To sum it up, the captain of an NHL club is the liaison between the coach and the team and between the team and the referee crew. There is a certain reverence that comes with the “C” that adorns a hockey player’s sweater, but none that isn’t earned through hard work and commitment to their craft.
There are certainly different types of captains that lead their teams in different ways. It may be an extension of a player’s personality, but there is never any question about who the leader on any team is. These captains have a way to go before they rank among the all time greats, but they are the best in the NHL right now.
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks-Possibly the gold standard for captains in todays game. Has a reputation as a bit of a whiner, but two Stanley Cups and the nickname “Captain Serious” are nothing to blink at. Toews is a complete player who leads by example. He can get noisy when he needs to, but on a veteran team, it doesn’t take much to keep players in line.
Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings-Another strong, silent type in the perfect mold of Detroit’s recent captains. Zetterberg has stepped his game up with the added responsibility of the “C”. He was always considered a star player in a star-filled league, but seems to have shifted to another gear since he inherited the title from countryman Nik Lidstrom.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins-In the mold of Jonathan Toews, Crosby has let his play do most of the talking. His maturity is brought into question from time to time, but we can’t forget that Crosby is still only 26. With almost every trophy possible in his case the Penguin’s captain is now in the mode where he is building his legacy in Pittsburgh as more than just a scoring machine.
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins-The towering Bruin captain leads by size and example. He has been one of the most consistent defensemen in the league over the past decade leading the Bruins to the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. A fitness freak in addition to his obvious physical gifts, Chara pushes his mates with his work ethic on and off the ice.
Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks-One half of the Sedin twins, Henrik carries the leadership torch as the center of the Vancouver Canucks. A Stanley Cup still evades the Swedish sniper, but he seems to be flourishing under the new coaching regime of John Tortorella. The Canucks look to have all the pieces in place, including a nice injection of youth into their roster. Under the watchful eye(s) of Sedin’s one and two, the integration of younger players could mean Stanley Cup glory for Vancouver.
David Backes, St. Louis Blues-The heart and soul of the Blues, Backes is finally starting to get his due as a leader.
There isn’t any specific area that the St. Louis captain excels, but he is one of the most complete players in the league. Physically imposing with his glare or his fists, teammates know that Backes always has their back, and play like they would skate through a wall for him.
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes-One of the most underrated players in the league is also one of the best leaders in the NHL. A consistent playmaker and tireless worker, the eldest Staal is the engine that drives the Hurricanes. Lost in NASCAR country, Eric Staal seldom gets his due as an elite talent, but the numbers don’t lie (727 career games, 657 career points, one Stanley Cup-2005-06, and one Olympic Gold medal-2010)
Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers-It’s not a coincidence that the Rangers have struggled this year considering the heart of their club has been on the shelf three different times before game 40. Callahan plays with his heart on his sleeve and his teammates absolutely thrive off his energy on the ice.
Ed Jovanowski, Florida Panthers-On a team full of youngsters and essentially nothing to play for, Ed Jovanowski has taken on a big brother/fatherly role over his younger mates. As an alternate captain in Phoenix and Vancouver, the veteran Panther’s defenseman knows how to be a professional and prepare for the grind of an NHL season. His influence on a young Florida roster is invaluable.
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes-His leadership really came to light during the most recent NHL lockout as the Coyote player representative. Doan was headed into free agency after winning the Mark Messier Leadership award for the 2012 season and was targeted by several teams looking for the type of influence that Doan can provide.