Just recently the Chicago Blackhawks named twenty-year old Jonathan Toews their 34th captain in club history. This will make Toews the 3rd youngest NHL player ever to receive the big C. Only Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier have received there C's younger, both getting it at the age of 19.
To me, this is a bad move. Now don't get me wrong, I like Toews a lot as a player but he just isn't ready for this responsibility.
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Now I know people are going to tell me "what about Sidney Crosby?". Well, I don't think he should have it yet either.
A captain to me, is someone who is a great leader on and off the ice and has a great personality in the dressing room. Now I have no doubt in the back of my mind that Toews has these qualities. But here is the last thing I think a true captain should have. Experience.
A captain has a responsibility of helping out the young guys and show them the ropes of the league. How do you expect Toews to do that when he is only 20? He can't, he is missing out on that important feature that I think all captains should have.
The true captain of the team should be Robert Lang or Brian Campbell. Who fill all the needs of a true captain.
But out of respect, I can only congradulate Toews and wish him the best of luck for the upcoming season.
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about 1 month ago
Granted a captain needs to have experience but why not grow yourself a captain while the team grows. Toews himself acknowledges that he isn't the most vocal guy but he leads by example on and off the ice. I find this more important than teaching the young players, that will be Brian Campbell's or Duncan Keith's or Patrick Sharp's job as assistant captain. They will be the sources of veteran leadership. If robert Lang had been named captain I would have flipped, he is not the type of person that we need leading this team. I'm am extremely happy with Captain Toews but if Keith or Sharp had been named captain I would also have been happy.
about 1 month ago
A captain does not need to have experience...a captain needs to be able to lead a team. He needs to have the respect of every player in that locker room, the coach, the GM, the owner, and the fans. People need to look up to him. He needs to translate his leadership from off the ice to performance on the ice, and needs to lead by example, Toews is easily the guy for this honor.
about 1 month ago
Good points, good points. But I don't know it's just always been my opinion that the captain should be able to help to young guys out with the ropes of the league. Toews just doesn't have that yet. But I do see where you guys are coming from.
about 1 month ago
Robert Lang? The LAZIEST player in the history of the nhl? are you kidding man? I DO think the blackhawks are trying to create a crosby-eque vibe around the kid, but in truth players like crosby, and gretzky (in terms of maturity and being able to handle leadership at an early age) are rare. Sidney also has the benefit of experienced leaders like Gary Roberts. Toews is lucky in one respect, his team is very young. He should be fine but hopefully the coaches are keeping an eye on him to get rid of the C if he becomes overwqhelmed........ Robert Lang indeed :)
about 1 month ago
this is a very unjustified article. towes has been considered a leader on every team hes played on at every level and held the captain or alternate captain position on other teams in his young career. he has plenty of international experience and last year was given the A and it was a well known it was a stepping stone. this move brings stability to a young team for years to come.
about 1 month ago
I have no problem with him wearing the A at all.
about 1 month ago
I don't know about your arguments for making Lang or Campbell the captain of the Hawks. Lang will most likely be gone by the end of the season (contract expires) and Campbell has never even played a game with the Blackhawks. Lang is not what I call a leader and Campbell has yet to earn the respect from his new teammates to be given such an honor. Experience, does not necessarily equate to captain material; even if that player was a captain on a previous team. Remember Adrian Aucoin?? No thanks! JT, IMHO, is the perfect captain for this team. He has the respect of the team and Hawks management and he is mature beyond his 20 years. Again, only my opinion but I like the move.
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