With the 2024-25 NHL season on the horizon, training camps are starting soon and rosters for all 32 teams in the league will be finalized before puck drop in October. That means it’s the perfect time to get to know the captains for all the NHL teams, starting with the 16 in the Eastern Conference, so you’re familiar with the player who gets the honor of wearing the highly regarded C on their jersey for 82 games this season.
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand
Courtesy of the Boston Bruins
Following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement after the 2022-23 season, the captaincy was given to Brad Marchand ahead of the 2023-24 campaign which also happened to be the Bruins’ 100th season. Marchand was selected 71st overall by the Bruins in the 2006 NHL Draft and has played all 15 years of his career in Boston. With plenty of time left on the ice, his name is already etched onto the Bruins record books in multiple categories: 1,029 games played (sixth), 401 goals (fifth), 528 assists (seventh) and 929 points (fifth). Although he is still viewed as one of the peskiest players in the league, Marchand has leadership skills that have made him a very admirable captain for the Original Six franchise.
Fun facts:
Marchand has always been much smaller than those he played with and against so he got noticed by junior teams and the Bruins because of his feisty style of play.
He was a pitcher for his middle school baseball team.
Buffalo Sabres: No Captain
Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin
Courtesy of AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Dylan Larkin is living out his childhood dream as captain of the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin is a proud Michigander having grown up in the Detroit area, played at the University of Michigan and was then drafted by his hometown team in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft. In the middle of the 2021-22 season, Larkin was named the 37th captain in Red Wings franchise history and will hold the storied position for the fifth consecutive season. Although he is still young, Larkin remains a huge piece in what has widely become known as the Yzer-plan as he’s the last remaining player from the team before current GM Steve Yzerman took over. Under his leadership, Detroit is expected to return to the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
Fun facts:
Larkin is the first Michigan-born player to be captain of the Red Wings.
He played soccer when he was younger and if hockey didn’t work out, Larkin would’ve continued playing soccer with the intention of going pro.
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov
Courtesy of Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
This past June, Aleksander Barkov became the first Finnish-born captain to win the Stanley Cup in NHL history, but his impact goes far beyond that achievement. Barkov was drafted second overall in 2013 by the Florida Panthers and the Selke Award winner has played all 11 years of his career in South Florida. Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Barkov was named the 10th captain in Panthers franchise history. Along with becoming a Stanley Cup champion, Barkov has won the Selke Trophy twice in his career (2021, 2024) and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2019. Barkov also holds almost all the franchise records such as most games played (737), goals (266), assists (445) and points (711).
Fun facts:
Barkov is a dual citizen of Finland and Russia.
Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki
Courtesy of Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images
Despite the fact that Nick Suzuki was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft to the Vegas Golden Knights, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens before he played a game with Vegas and has become one of the most loved players among Habs fans. Suzuki was named the 31st captain of the Canadiens prior to the 2022-23 season at just 23 years old, making him the youngest captain in franchise history. Suzuki has played all 82 games in each of the last three seasons and became a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his career just last season. As he enters his third campaign as captain of the storied Montreal franchise, he looks to continue to amaze on the ice while helping the team improve towards making the postseason again.
Fun facts:
Suzuki has a younger brother named Ryan who was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019 and currently plays for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
He attended an elementary/middle school that specializes in the arts instead of athletics.
Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk
Courtesy of David Zalubowski/AP
You may know Brady Tkachuk for just one reason, he’s the younger brother of the Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk and has made several iconic appearances then in Calgary and now Florida during the playoffs to support his brother. But Brady is creating a legacy for himself in Ottawa. He was drafted fourth overall in 2018 by the Senators and has played all six seasons of his career in Ottawa. In November 2021, Brady was named the 10th captain in franchise history and is now carrying the honor of wearing the C for the fourth season as the team hopes to make the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
Fun facts:
When Tkachuk got to the NHL, he had to promise his mom that no matter how many fights he got into during his career he would never fight his brother, Matthew.
He LOVES wearing Crocs and isn’t the slightest bit embarrassed about that.
Tampa Bay Lightning: No Captain
Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews
Courtesy of The Canadian Press/Cole Burston
Auston Matthews is the newest appointed captain in the league, having been given the iconic C on Aug. 14 to make him the 26th captain in Maple Leafs franchise history. It’s no surprise that Matthews is the captain of the Original Six team as he is the heart and soul of the Toronto squad. The Leafs drafted Matthews first overall in 2016 and since then, he has been tearing up the league and putting his name in the history books. In just 562 games, Matthews has collected 368 goals, 281 assists and 649 points. No one in Leafs history has scored more goals in a single season than Matthews has (69 in 2023-24 and 60 in 2021-22). Not to mention, he’s also the highest paid player in the entire league this upcoming season so it will be exciting to see what he does in his first year of captaincy.
Fun facts:
Matthews has an Australian Bernedoodle named Felix who he loves relaxing with at home after games.
Sports Girls Club Senior Media Director of Social Media, Sims, gave Matthews a friendship bracelet last season and he’s been spotted wearing it multiple times!
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal
Courtesy of Karl B. DeBlaker/AP
Although Jordan Staal hasn’t played the entirety of his NHL career with the Hurricanes, his 12 years in Raleigh has cemented him as one of the biggest leaders on the team. Staal was named captain ahead of the 2019-20 season and will be entering his sixth straight season with the C on his jersey. If you look at Carolina’s record books, you will be able to spot Staal’s name there multiple times. Even if he isn’t the franchise leader in any categories, he has left an impact on the team and its history with more to come as he takes the ice when puck drop on the 2024-25 season happens.
Fun fact:
Staal has had the opportunity to play in the same game as his two brothers, Marc and Eric, on April 13, 2023.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Boone Jenner
Courtesy of Nicolas Galindo/The Columbus Dispatch
After the Blue Jackets traded Nick Foligno to the Maple Leafs in the 2020-21 season, the team needed a new leader and they decided to name Boone Jenner the seventh captain in franchise history ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Jenner was drafted 37th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft by Columbus and has played all 11 seasons of his career there. He became the franchise leader in games played (715) just last season and his 192 goals and 364 points rank third in Blue Jackets franchise history. Plus, it's been noted on multiple occasions that his teammates have always greatly respected him so the captain position couldn’t be more fitting for the center.
Fun fact:
Jenner was raised on a farm in Dorchester, Ontario, a small community between Toronto and Detroit. His parents still run the family farm.
New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier
Courtesy of NHL.com
Nico Hischier is another recent first overall pick and made history when the Devils selected him in 2017 as he became the highest drafted Swiss player in NHL history. At just 22 years old, Hischier was named the 12th captain in Devils franchise history in the middle of the 2021-22 season. In the 452 games he’s played with New Jersey, Hischier has racked up 353 points (136 goals, 217 assists) and still has plenty of time left on the ice to really cement his legacy for the Devils. And despite battling thorough severe injuries at multiple points of his career, he is still one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL right now. With a lot to prove this season, Hischier’s leadership will certainly be a building block for a successful campaign from his team.
Fun facts:
Hischier has a tattoo on the inside of his left bicep that is his family members’ star signs.
His favorite activities away from hockey are tennis and beach volleyball.
New York Islanders: Anders Lee
Courtesy of the New York Islanders
The Islanders captain is not only a face of the franchise, his journey to the NHL is quite remarkable. Anders Lee was awarded the honor of being New York’s captain ahead of the 2018-19 season after John Tavares controversially left the team and has proudly worn the C for six straight seasons now. Isles legend Denis Potvin is the only other player to have had a longer run as captain in franchise history (eight seasons). Lee was drafted by the Islanders in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Draft and has played all 12 years of his career on Long Island. His teammates through the years have been open about how great of a leader he is and it’s clear that he’s an admired captain around the league.
Fun facts:
Lee has two Australian Shepherds named Gordie and Howie, an ode to his hockey idol Gordie Howe.
Lee hosts a Kancer Jam event in support of Jam Kancer in the Kan every year to raise money for cancer victims and their families.
New York Rangers: Jacob Trouba
Courtesy of Julia Nikhinson/AP
Although you probably have heard about Jacob Trouba due to his antics that sometimes occur on the ice, he is also the New York Rangers captain. Trouba received the honor of wearing the C before the 2022-23 season began, making him the 28th captain in Rangers franchise history, and will be holding the position for the third straight year. His most productive season with the Rangers may have happened before he became captain, but he is a pillar not just on the blueline but in terms of leadership among all the players on the roster. With the pressure on New York to win the Stanley Cup, Trouba’s leadership will be needed to bring the team on a deep run this season.
Fun fact:
Trouba creates art by body checking a canvas and his pieces have been featured in an exhibition at a New York City gallery.
Philadelphia Flyers: Sean Couturier
Courtesy of Kyle Ross/USA TODAY Sports
Sean Couturier was named the 20th captain in Flyers franchise history this past February in the midst of the 2023-24 season. The decision made sense as Couturier was drafted to Philly back in 2011 and has played all 12 years of his career in the City of Brotherly Love. The ownership wanted someone “homegrown” to lead the team and Couturier was the perfect fit. Although the 2024-25 season will be his first full year as captain and Philly has strides to make in order to get to the postseason again, it’s clear that he commands respect from his teammates and is a player who embodies what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer.
Fun fact:
Couturier wears jersey number 14 because it was the number he wore when he was younger and number 7, his first choice, has been retired by the Flyers.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby
Courtesy of Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
When you think of captains in the NHL, Sidney Crosby is probably the first one who comes to mind and for good reason. The Cole Harbour native embodies what it means to be a leader in this sport which has been on display since he entered the league. Crosby is entering his 20th season and his 18th as the Penguins captain. When the honor of the captaincy was given to him before the 2007-08 season, Crosby was just 19 years and 297 days old which made him the youngest captain in NHL history at the time. Not only is his trophy case impressive, Crosby has made his mark on the Pens history books as he is the franchise leader in games played (1,272) and ranks second in goals (592), assists (1,004) and points (1,596). It’s also no surprise he’s the longest tenured active captain and is behind only Steve Yzerman for the longest tenured captain in NHL history.
Fun facts:
Crosby is well known for baking banana bread (his mom’s famous recipe) for his teammates throughout the season.
He’s best friends with fellow Cole Harbour native and Colorado Avalanche forward, Nathan MacKinnon.
Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin
Courtesy of Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
From one generational player to another, Alex Ovechkin is another well known captain in the league. Ovechkin was drafted first overall by the Capitals in 2004 and was named the 14th captain in franchise history in 2010. The C has been a staple on his jersey since then. While he has accumulated an impressive trophy case as well over the span of his career, Ovechkin is also the franchise leader in games played (1,426), goals (853), points (1,550) and power play goals (312). While he chases down Wayne Gretzky’s record to become the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, Ovechkin’s leadership will be needed on the ice to hopefully guide the Caps to a deep playoff run once again.
Fun fact:
Ovechkin’s mother is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in basketball and his father played soccer at a high level.
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