Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan announced the names of the new leadership group of the Edmonton Oilers today. Included in that group, of course, was the announcing of the Oilers new captain for the 2016-17 season and beyond.
The new captain of the Oilers, and the youngest NHL player to ever be named captain, will be Connor McDavid.
The decision to name McDavid captain will shock no one, especially after being named captain of Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The World Cup squad was also coached by McLellan, and run by Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli.
McDavid only has one injury plagued season under his belt as an NHL star. Despite only playing 45 games, McDavid still managed to score 16 goals and contribute another 32 assists, good for 48 points as a rookie. He also managed to finish 3rd in Calder Trophy voting despite his missed time.
Even veteran teammates acknowledge McDavid’s leadership and maturity.
“He’s a very mature young man. It’s surprising he’s only 19 years old, the way he carries himself,” Milan Lucic said last week. “That’s what going to make him a great leader and, at some point, the next captain of the Oilers.”
McDavid will be joined by alternate captains Lucic, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The puck drops for the new captain and his Oilers teammates on October 12th against the Calgary Flames.
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
