New York Rangers Make Right Choice Naming Ryan McDonagh Captain

One of the worst-kept secrets is finally official, as Ryan McDonagh has been named the 27th captain in New York Rangers history. The news broke and was announced by the Rangers' official Twitter account.

There was a chance that sage veteran Martin St. Louis would be given the "C" based on how the team really galvanized around the death of France St. Louis, but naming McDonagh captain was the right choice. St. Louis will wear an "A" on his chest, as will Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Derek Stepan.

The above are a solid group of leaders, and the Rangers' newest captain will certainly set the tone going forward. McDonagh may only be 25, but he acts like he has been a league pro for decades.

Since joining the Rangers, McDonagh has continually stepped up his game and done what it takes to win. He's been humble at times, but his biggest characteristic has always been his respect and commitment to excellence. 

General manager Glen Sather backed up the decision with the following remarks: “Ryan McDonagh exemplifies what we want a New York Ranger to be. He is the ideal choice to lead our team as its captain.”

Katie Strang of ESPN.com really summed up McDonagh's maturity and resolve when observing his habits during "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a column written last season:

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At a time in the game when the very notion of respect is a hot topic of debate, McDonagh represents a throwback of sorts. Still young at just 24, he embodies the old-school, blue-collar, meat-and-potatoes hockey player of previous generations, a player who embraces the concept of loyalty, commitment, honor and, most importantly, respect.

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Strang was not the only one to talk about McDonagh and his readiness for a responsibility such as the captaincy, as Pierre McGuire offered his thoughts on the September 15 edition of  ' radio show on TSN (fast-forward to 18:49 mark):

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If I were betting I would bet on Ryan McDonagh. Just having spent some time with Ryan last week and seeing how his teammates have really galvanized around him and talking with other Ranger players, older ones and younger ones, McDonagh seems to be the bridge between the older guys and the younger guys. There is a sense of maturity around McDonagh, he was drafted in 2007 and you can just sense it and feel it. He is a married guy, really serious, trains like a machine, has been in the Olympics, potential Norris Trophy winner, he is everything that you want and he communicates really well. I would say that he is the odds on favorite.

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McGuire hit the nail right on the head, as McDonagh is a young player who is able to connect to the youth of the roster, but he can also relate to the older contingent. In the NHL there is usually a diverse mix of players on the roster, both in talent and age, and teams need a captain who can reach all of the different demographics.

McGuire also mentioned that McDonagh is a a good communicator, and he displayed that when he talked about wanting to be the captain to the New York media a week ago.

Via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News:

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I think I've progressed into being a go-to guy, someone teammates can look up to and someone they can count on. I think guys see I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win. (Captain) is a big responsibility, too. It’s not just about on the ice but how you carry yourself off of it and represent the organization.

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Some may say that McDonagh's approach could be described as cocky and outspoken, but instead it further cements his role as a leader. During the time in which Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards were in charge, McDonagh deferred to their direction.

Now that this is official, McDonagh will get to leave his mark on the team. He will be the first defenseman to wear the "C" since Brian Leetch, and that certainly puts him in good company. Based on everything that has been said about McDonagh, he has been leading in his own way for quite some time, so this decision just formalizes the situation.

McDonagh is the Rangers' 27th captain overall, and the third American captain in team history. This was a decision that was bound to happen, and the Rangers certainly are excited to have McDonagh lead them into action against the St. Louis Blues to start the season.