Nineteen year old Connor McDavid was recently named the 15th captain of the Edmonton Oilers. A 2015 number 1 draft pick in his sophomore season, McDavid takes over the record as the youngest captain in NHL history. Before him the record holder was Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche. When he was named captain of the Avalanche, Landeskog was 20 days older than McDavid. Landeskog took the record over from Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Oilers did not have a captain in McDavid’s rookie season last year, opting to have multiple alternate captains instead. However, this is not McDavid’s first time in such a leadership position. He most recently was the captain of Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey. McDavid was also captain of the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League before he was drafted to Edmonton. Management credits McDavid’s confidence, improved play, and relationships with teammates as reasons for him to captain the team.
Because of all his prior experience and the support of his teammates, McDavid is ready to lead his team in the upcoming season. The Oilers have been in a period of rebuilding in recent years, so hopefully the addition of a new, young captain will aid the team to be successful this season.
