Despite a broken collarbone that limited him to 45 games in his rookie season, 2015 first-overall pick Connor McDavid lived up to his advance billing as a superstar for the Edmonton Oilers.  With just over half a season of games, McDavid scored 16 goals and added 32 assists and finished third in rookie of the year voting almost capturing the Calder Trophy.

Now entering his second season, the Oilers have a vacancy at Captain and their budding superstar is among the names being discussed to fill the position.  If the 19-year-old is handed the C prior to the season, he would become the youngest player in NHL history to be named permanent captain of a team.

He would however not be the first teenager to be handed the honour, as the NHL has a history of allowing skilled youth to lead.


Gabriel Landeskog – Colorado Avalanche – 19 years, 286 days

Prior to the 2012-13 season, the Colorado Avalanche named reigning Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog captain, making him the youngest player in NHL history to be elevated to the position.

“I'm so humbled and grateful for this opportunity, and what an honor to follow the footsteps of the past captains for the Avs. I couldn't be more excited and I'm truly looking forward to the challenge. Thank you all for the kind words and the support!” – Landeskog tweeted after being named captain.  

His first season with the ‘C’ was the lockout shortened 2012/13 campaign and he was forced to miss 11 games after suffering a concussion as he struggled to nine goals and eight assists in 36 games.

The Avalanche finished dead last in the Western Conference with a 16-25-7 record leading to head coach Joe Sacco being removed from the position and replaced by Patrick Roy.

With Landeskog as captain, the Avalanche have made the playoffs once, during the 2013/14 season when they finished with the best record in the Central Division and second most points in the West.  

They were eliminated by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.


Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins – 19 years, 297 days

Eleven days older than Landeskog when he was named captain, Sidney Crosby was awarded the position by the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 31, 2007.  The first Penguins captain following the retirement of Mario Lemieux, Crosby was given the ‘C’ after a season where he became the youngest scoring champion in league history and captured his first Hart Trophy as league MVP.

“Sidney has done so much for this franchise in his first two seasons, made so much history, that you have to keep reminding yourself that he is only 19 years old, but Sid’s contributions extend far beyond statistics and his incredible achievements on the ice.” – Penguins general manager Ray Shero said after making the announcement.

In his first season as captain, Crosby battled an ankle injury and was only able to appear in 53 games in 2007/08.   Despite the reduced number of games played, the Cole Harbour, NS native netted 24 goals and added 48 assists for a 72 point total.

Crosby’s late season return would help spark the Penguins as they finished second in the Eastern Conference and stormed their way to the Stanley Cup final only dropping two games in the process.  

They would eventually lose the Cup to the Detroit Red Wings in six games.

As captain of the Penguins, Crosby has led the franchise to two Stanley Cup titles and captured a second Hart Trophy in 2013/14 after leading the league with 104 points.


Vincent Lecavalier – Tampa Bay Lightning – 19 years, 314 days

On March 1, 2000, Vincent Lecavalier became the first teenager to be named permanent captain of an NHL team when he was awarded the position by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  

The appointment would not last as he remained captain during the remainder of the 1999/00 season and for the 2000/01 season before head coach John Tortorella took the ‘C’ away from the Ile-Bizard, QC native.

During his first full season as captain, Lecavalier played in 68 games and scored 23 goals and 28 assists.  

The Lightning finished second last in the Eastern Conference ahead of only the New York Islanders.  

The team would go on to win the 2003/04 Stanley Cup with Dave Andreychuk as captain.

Lecavalier would regain the captaincy for the Lightning in 2008 and remain in the position until being bought out by the team in 2013.

He would finish his career with stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.


Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks – 20 years, 79 days

Jonathan Toews was named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks on July 18, 2008.

“Jonathan deserves this honor, he is a tremendous individual and a wonderful leader on and off the ice,” said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. “He has experience in captaining teams from his World Junior appearances and guys follow his lead in our locker room.”

After taking over as the 34th captain of the Blackhawks, the Winnipeg native has led the franchise to three Stanley Cup titles, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2009/10.