On Wednesday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers announced that 19-year-old star forward Connor McDavid has been named captain of the team. They also announced that forwards Milan Lucic, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will serve as the alternate captains of the team. McDavid becomes the youngest player to wear the “C” in National Hockey League history at 19 years, 266 days, surpassing Gabriel Landeskog who became captain of the Colorado Avalanche at 19 years old, 286 days.
The #Oilers have named @cmcdavid97 the 15th captain in franchise history. @27MilanLucic @ebs_14 & @RNH_93 will serve as alternates. pic.twitter.com/lARVfYozO3
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 5, 2016
Oilers Name Connor McDavid Captain; Becomes Youngest in NHL History
“I’m very honored and humbled to be able to wear the ‘C’ for this organization,” McDavid said to NHL.com. “There are so many good leaders in this room, and to be able to represent them is definitely a good feeling. No, it doesn’t feel overwhelming at all; I just feel normal about it. I’m very humbled to wear it and excited about it. But having the support of the teammates and all that, that’s the main thing; and that’s what makes it so much easier.”
Oilers head coach Todd McLellan had this to say- “He’s mature beyond his years. He’s dealt with all of you [media] since he was 14. He handles himself very well and takes care of his teammates in front of and with the media, which we think is very important in a Canadian franchise. He is an ambassador of the game, which I think you have to be as a captain. [McDavid] puts himself out there with the fans and the young kids and he understands his role. Sidney Crosby and a couple of others have gone through that, they do a tremendous job, and I see a lot of that in him.”
Big Expecations
Connor McDavid was selected first overall in the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. He suffered a shoulder injury early in the season. McDavid returned and ended up playing 45 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 32 assists for 48 points. He was NHL Rookie of the Month in October 2015, February 2016, and March 2016. McDavid just returned from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he served as captain for Team North America. As he heads into the 2016-2017 season, all eyes will be on him to determine if he can live up to the hype. This has grown even bigger after being named captain.
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