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Oh Captain, My Captain
by Alanah McGinley on 09/30/08 at 02:33 PM ET
Comments (20)
How’s that for a cliché title? But the choice of a new Vancouver Canucks captain is not a cliché at all—in fact it’s one heck of a shock.
Roberto Luongo.
Now… did anyone predict that?? Not a chance.
Update 2:39pm ET: Assistant captains—Ryan Kesler, Mattias Ohlund, and Willie Mitchell. Coach Alain Vigneault also states they did advise the NHL this morning that they chose Luongo, and while there is no rule preventing a goalie from being named a captain, he won’t be permitted to have a ‘C’ on his sweater.
More updates below.
Update 3:10pm ET: Since this is bound to be debated ad nauseum amongst Canucks fans today, I’ve hijacked the section of the NHL rule book (via the Yankee Canuck) that pertains to the rules of naming a captain.
6.1 Captain - One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and he alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game. He shall wear the letter “C,” approximately three inches (3”) in height and in contrasting color, in a conspicuous position on the front of his sweater. No co-Captains are permitted. Either one Captain and no more than two Alternate Captains, or no Captain an no more than three Alternate Captains are permitted (see 6.2).
Only the Captain, when invited to do so by the Referee, shall have the privilege of discussing any point relating to the interpretation of rules. Any Captain, Alternate Captain or any player or goalkeeper who
comes off the bench and makes any protest or intervention with the officials for any purpose shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under Rule 40 – Abuse of Officials. Should
this protest continue, he may be assessed a misconduct penalty, and if it further continues, a game misconduct penalty shall be warranted.…No playing Coach or playing Manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as Captain or Alternate Captain.
Bottom line—he can’t act as captain during the course of the game, so his assistants will take those responsibilities.
Update... Not everything was good news for Luongo today. :(
Update 7:34pm ET: Joe Pelletier takes a look at other goalies who’ve worn the C.
_____________________
*image is a screenshot from press conference this morning, via Canucks.com
Filed in: vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: mattias+ohlund, roberto+luongo, ryan+kesler, willie+mitchell,
Comments
I can’t believe this nonsense. It’s not even worth debating. It’s just embarrassing gimmickry.
Posted by the sieve from the bovine city on 09/30/08 at 02:47 PM ET
O Captain My Captain‘s a Walt Whitman poem dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, by the way.
I’m entirely fine with the decision. Luongo’s actually the best choice on the team.
Posted by James Mirtle from Toronto on 09/30/08 at 02:56 PM ET
Earl - You’re always thinking outside the box, aren’t you? 
the sieve - Like Mirtle, I have no problem with it. It’s a gimmick in the sense that it will get a lot of attention and debate, but I don’t think he was an unreasonable choice.
James- Thanks. And yes, I’m familiar with reference i made in the title. That’s why I used it.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 09/30/08 at 03:04 PM ET
It was quite the shock, I’ll say. But I’m not disappointed at all in the choice.
Posted by Rod Templeton from The Canuck Nation on 09/30/08 at 03:19 PM ET
gobsmacked!
but pleased
how many conversations have we all had that started “well, if we could have anyone as C it would be Lu, but as that’s against the rules....”?
Posted by Sarah from England on 09/30/08 at 03:23 PM ET
It was the haircut that sold it to management. It’s just gotta be.
Posted by Mike from NYC on 09/30/08 at 03:38 PM ET
Fine choice if you ask me. Sucks that he can’t wear the C though; that would be badass.
Posted by Osrt on 09/30/08 at 03:45 PM ET
I think it was a great choice, and I also think it is a dumb rule. Make Luongo the captain, and allow him to act as the captain, and put a C on his sweater.
Luongo and the Canucks just began a trend. I’m calling it now, Brodeur is named captain before the season is over, as he should be.
Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 09/30/08 at 03:46 PM ET
I would have liked Mitchell or Kesler to be named the new captain, but Luongo is a good choice, and I believe the announced “A“‘s will do a good job in ripping into bad calls by the zebras.
Posted by PuckHound61 on 09/30/08 at 04:12 PM ET
What’s to keep Luongo from having a small patch that says “Team Captain” on his jersey?
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/30/08 at 04:40 PM ET
Now I’m wondering if his new goalie mask will reflect his captaincy. A little “C” on the back or something maybe.
Posted by Kyle on 09/30/08 at 04:53 PM ET
Incidentally, am I the only person that finds it a bit odd that Pavol Demitra didn’t make the cut as one of the assistants? Not that the other guys are undeserving… but as one of the highest paid players on the team and with many of our hopes on him for for his scoring prowess, I’d have thought Demitra would be one of the top-4 choices. Any theories why not?
As for ways to acknowledge Luongo’s role on the ice, I like the idea of something on his mask, too.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 09/30/08 at 04:57 PM ET
but as one of the highest paid players on the team and with many of our hopes on him for for his scoring prowess, I’d have thought Demitra would be one of the top-4 choices. Any theories why not?
Um, maybe because those reasons have very little to do with leadership?
Posted by K24 from NYC on 09/30/08 at 07:24 PM ET
I mentioned this possibility earlier this summer, but was told that he couldn’t because of the ruling about goaltenders. Interesting selection...definitely going against the grain. The are acknowledging the obvious...this is Louie’s team...not Willie Mitchell’s. Although Willie would be the right conventional choice...this team is more about Louie.
Posted by GZ Expat from Chiner on 09/30/08 at 07:39 PM ET
Um, maybe because those reasons have very little to do with leadership?
Very true. But you’ll have to forgive me… this organization makes it hard to know what the priorities are. We DID have Messier as captain once, ya know. And I don’t care what anyone says: I’ll never be convinced that common sense was the priority!
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 09/30/08 at 07:46 PM ET
so it sounds like Lou is just the honorary captain?
the rules…
Either one Captain and no more than two Alternate Captains, or no Captain an no more than three Alternate Captains are permitted (see 6.2).
so since Viggy has named 3 alternates Lou is really just honorary.
Posted by LOUiE from Cowtown on 09/30/08 at 10:33 PM ET
Ok, now you’ll have to forgive me...as a Rangers fan, I don’t quite get why you think having Messier as captain was a bad thing. Wait...yeah, I DO understand, just not from your point of view, as I wasn’t exactly thrilled we got him back from you guys.
Posted by K24 from NYC on 09/30/08 at 10:33 PM ET
Ok, now you’ll have to forgive me...as a Rangers fan…
Geezus. Are you TRYING to kill me??!
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 10/01/08 at 01:34 AM ET
Honorary? No.
The captain’s role may have started out as the guy who talks to the officials. Nowadays, it’s an active leadership role, and Luongo should have it for that.
Posted by Jazz from Sydney on 10/03/08 at 11:12 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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Other Canucks Blogs
Perhaps this morning the Chicago GM is kicking himself.
“Rats, I bet if I named Khabibulin as team captain somebody would have claimed him!”
Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/30/08 at 02:25 PM ET