LAS VEAS (KTNV) — Forward Mark Stone has been named the first ever captain for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Stone will now be able to wear "C" on his jersey/sweater for the 2021 season.
We would just tell you who our first captain is...
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 13, 2021
but we’d rather have you C for yourself 👀#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/icXmQvrClO
The team did not have a captain for its first 3 seasons. Instead, it used a rotating core of alternate captains.
CONGRATULATIONS to Mark Stone on being named the first captain in Vegas Golden Knights history!!!! 🗿 #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/gOBxRtSpKg
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 13, 2021
This is Stone’s 2nd full season with the Golden Knights. He was acquired during a trade in February 2019 from the Ottawa Senators.
In case you are wondering why the team did not have an official captain before now, that is because hockey takes the role of captain much more seriously than other sports.
The team captain in most sports is quite often the superstar of the team, according to Bleacher Report.
In hockey, the team captain may not even be close to being considered the best player. Instead, the team captain may be the best skater or best scorer of the toughest guy on the team.
A team captain is also expected to lead by example on and off the ice. The captain is also expected to speak up for his team and defend their actions if necessary.
At the NHL level, this means the team captain is recognized as the only player to be able to talk to game officials directly about rule interpretations. He is the voice of the team.
VGK will play its first game of the season at home on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
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