Today, via twitter,
the New York Rangers announced that Ryan Callahan will be the 26th captain in
the history of the franchise. Along with
the announcement of Callahan as the Captain, Marc Staal and Brad Richards were
named the Alternates.
These captains should not surprise anyone as Callahan was the defacto captain last season and, as I wrote this morning, epitomizes everything that coach John Tortorella wants his team to be. Callahan's fierce competitiveness and willingness to whatever it takes to help the team win is exactly what you want to be the face of your leader and have him hold the rest of the team accountable to meet that lofty standard. There is a jump from being an alternate to the captain of the team, but Callahan is ready to take that step and lead the Blueshirts to where they need to go.
Marc Staal earned his alternate captaincy with how he performed wearing the "A" last season and while there was some question about whether Brad Richards would get the other "A" or not given the Rangers commitment to the young leaders on the team, he has all the qualities to make him worthy of the honor.
Update: Statement from Glen Sather on Callahan as Captain via Blueshirts United
These captains should not surprise anyone as Callahan was the defacto captain last season and, as I wrote this morning, epitomizes everything that coach John Tortorella wants his team to be. Callahan's fierce competitiveness and willingness to whatever it takes to help the team win is exactly what you want to be the face of your leader and have him hold the rest of the team accountable to meet that lofty standard. There is a jump from being an alternate to the captain of the team, but Callahan is ready to take that step and lead the Blueshirts to where they need to go.
Marc Staal earned his alternate captaincy with how he performed wearing the "A" last season and while there was some question about whether Brad Richards would get the other "A" or not given the Rangers commitment to the young leaders on the team, he has all the qualities to make him worthy of the honor.
Update: Statement from Glen Sather on Callahan as Captain via Blueshirts United
"Ryan Callahan embodies all the leadership qualities we seek from our Captain. He leads by example with courage and tireless work ethic on and off the ice, which is why he is so deserving of this honor."
