Red Wings name Larkin new captain
Without a captain since Henrik Zetterberg was forced to retire with back problems in September 2018, the Detroit Red Wings finally named a new leader Wednesday.
The Red Wings announced 24-year-old Dylan Larkin as the 37th captain in franchise history, but the first Michigan native to wear the C and just the second American since Reed Larson in 1981-82.
“I think I understand the significance of this role,” Larkin said. “I've seen it my whole life, been around, been a fan, been around fans, been to games, to know what it means to not only be a Detroit Red Wing, but to now be the captain. I couldn't be more honoured. I couldn't have ever dreamt it to be like this.”
Larkin, who had served as an alternate captain the past two seasons was informed of the decision on Tuesday by general manager Steve Yzerman, who spent 19 seasons as captain of the team.
“Dylan is an extremely competitive and driven player who sets the standard for dedication and conduct for the Red Wings,” Yzerman said in a release. “This is the right time to name our new captain and we're certain Dylan is ready to take on the responsibility. He will be an outstanding leader for us, both on and off the ice.”
The Red Wings selected Larkin in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft from the U.S. U-18 team and he jumped to the NHL after one season at the University of Michigan.
“I'm extremely excited that Dylan Larkin will be our captain,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said in a release. “Dylan has the utmost respect from his teammates because of his work ethic, passion, care for others and burning desire to win.”
The Red Wings also announced that Luke Glendening and Frans Nielsen will serve as alternate captain for the 2020-21 season that opens for Detroit on Thursday against Carolina.
REVENBERG STAYING WITH TICATS
Essex native Brandon Revenberg won't be hitting the CFL freeagent market.
The 28-year-old Revenberg agreed to a contract extension on Wednesday that will keep the two-time division all-star with the Hamilton Tiger-cats.
“Brandon is not only a great player, but an even better person,” Shawn Burke, Hamilton's senior director of personnel and co-manager of football operations, said in a release.
“Since being drafted by us, he has established himself as one of the top guards in the league, but also has the versatility to play any spot on the offensive line. We could not be happier that Brandon and his family have extended their commitment to our organization.”
The six-foot-four, 301-pound Revenberg started all 17 games at left guard for Hamilton in 2019 and earned his second straight divisional all-star nod while being named Hamilton's most outstanding Canadian and helping the team reach the Grey Cup. The third pick overall in the 2016 CFL draft by Hamilton, the Grand Valley State University product has yet to miss a game due to injury in his fouryear CFL career. He has appeared in 71 regular season games and five playoff games.