:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51209223/usa-today-9555689.0.jpg)
To the surprise of virtually no one, Connor McDavid has been named captain of the Edmonton Oilers. He's not just the youngest captain in franchise history, but the youngest in NHL history.
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
Alternate captains this year also aren't surprising, with Milan Lucic, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all wearing the A.
It's kind of a no-brainer. McDavid has been a captain in the OHL with Erie, and he recently captained Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey. The decision since he was drafted was that this was Connor's team, and they didn't waste much time giving him the C.
What does this mean going forward? Not a heck of a lot. I'm not sure much changes within the dynamic of the change room. McDavid was going to lead this team with his play, so having a letter at his age isn't going to change how he goes about his business.
I'm sure it's a big honour for McDavid, but he's been through so much and done so much in his hockey life that things like "Youngest team captain in NHL history" won't even register. He'll put up his points and play his strong two way game. This just removes the inevitable "When will Connor be captain?" had chosen someone else or decided to go without one this season.