Welcome Matt: Canucks smart to avoid unnecessary drama in Hughes captaincy decision
The Vancouver Canucks named their new captain with a press release and a media conference, and I applaud them for it.
They eschewed the usual pomp and ceremony of an opening night, on-ice presentation because general manager Patrik Allvin said they wanted a fresh start heading into training camp.
This was the right call as it staves off questions to players once assembled, and any campaigning that might have followed from a vacant captaincy.
It also lets everybody know — new players, young players, J.T. Miller — that Hughes is the captain now, and he can begin leading from the first formal on-ice session next week at camp in Victoria.
“It means a great deal to me… especially being in a Canadian market,” Hughes said at the press conference. “When I moved here five years ago and started playing for the Canucks, I knew right away what a hockey market it is, and how important hockey is to this city and market.”
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The Canucks have their 15th captain, and their first American captain, and it didn’t come with the festivities at the home opener.
Of course, there were more considerations than just a fresh start that went into this. You might remember that ex-captain Trevor Linden — for some the all-time Canuck — refused to attend when Bo Horvat was named captain in 2019.
A reminder that this organization has gone through a lot, and has a lot of healing to do.
Hopefully Hughes can build those bridges with all who have been alienated during this decade of despair.