Canucks open against Calgary tonight, going without captain for this season
Horvat joins Vancouver leadership group as 1 of 4 alternate captains
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks’ decision not to name a captain this season was “pretty easy,” says head coach Travis Green.
The club announced Tuesday it had instead chosen to go with four alternates. Forwards Bo Horvat and Brandon Sutter, and defencemen Alex Edler and Chris Tanev will all wear an ‘A’.
“I don’t think it should surprise anyone. They all bring something to the table. And I think it was a pretty easy decision, to be honest,” Green said after practice Tuesday.
Being a captain isn’t easy, the coach said, especially given the Canucks’ current situation.
“Its a big responsibility in the NHL. It’s an even bigger responsibility in a Canadian market. On top of that, a team that’s rebuilding and trying to get better — its a tough responsibility in this market,” Green said.
The four alternates will be supported by a wider group of veteran players as Green said the team’s culture is built via “leadership by committee.”
Tanev, Edler, Sutter and Daniel Sedin all acted as alternates last season, while veteran Henrik Sedin wore the ‘C’ as team captain.
The Sedins retired at the end of the campaign, following 17 years in Canucks jerseys.
Replacing the twins will be tough, said Tanev, noting that Henrik Sedin shouldered a lot of the blame for the team’s dismal performance last season.
Vancouver finished second-last in the Pacific Division, with a 31-40-11 record.
“(Henrik Sedin) took responsibility for a lot of things that weren’t his fault or he wasn’t even involved in. That’s the type of guy he was. He showed everyone on the team how to lead properly and how to conduct themselves,” Tanev said.
When the Canucks host the Calgary Flames in their season opener tonight, it will mark the first time since April 9, 2000, that Vancouver has hit the ice without a Sedin. The club has played 1,465 games — including 105 playoff contests — in that span.
Having multiple leaders and voices in the dressing room makes sense as the Canucks enter a new era, said Horvat.
“We are in a transition year where, obviously, where Hank and Danny are gone and we’re getting new guys, younger,” he said. “To find that one guy that guys can rely on and look up to, I think it’s going to be a great year.”
Speculation was rife that Horvat would be named the team’s captain this year. But the 23-year-old centre said he wasn’t concerned about what letter would grace his chest.
“I was just going to be the player I am. And nothing is going to change or nothing would have changed in my game or how I am in the room,” Horvat said. “I’m just honoured to be wearing a letter.”