New York Rangers name Jacob Trouba the 28th captain in team history after five seasons without one

One of the most storied franchises in the NHL has selected its first captain in over five years. 

Defenseman Jacob Trouba has been named captain of the New York Rangers, making him the 28th player to wear the ‘C’ for the team.

He will become the on-ice leader for a young team that went all the way to last season’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Trouba becomes the first captain of the Rangers since February 2018, when the Rangers traded away then-captain Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He joins a roster of impressive players who have been named captain for the Original Six franchise, including Hockey Hall of Famers Harry Howell, Andy Bathgate, Brad Park, Phil Esposito, Mark Messier, and Brian Leetch. 

The defenseman will be charged with leading a young group of players to a fifth Stanley Cup

After the announcement was made, Trouba’s thoughts were posted on the Rangers social media account.

‘It’s a huge honor and it’s something that means something, especially here in this organization, with the history and the past players who’ve been captain before me’ Trouba said.

‘As a kid I grew up watching [former captains] (Brian) Leetch and (Mark) Messier, (Chris) Drury and (Jaromir) Jagr. Those names were all very prominent to me when I was a kid and then you come here and you learn more about the history of the guys who were here before them. 

‘You see pictures, you see jerseys around this place and it’s now my turn to carry that legacy on for those guys.’

In 597 career games, the offensive defenseman has 62 goals and 195 assists for 257 points

Despite being known as an offensive defenseman, Trouba has 516 career penalty minutes

‘We all think Jacob’s the perfect choice for captain for many reasons,’ former captain and current Rangers general manager Chris Drury remarked.

‘Certainly since the minute he got here he’s continued to grow as a leader within the organization. Things he does on the ice, off the ice, behind the scenes, you name it. He’s a perfect role model for our young guys, our older guys, for our veterans. 

‘He just chooses to do everything right day in and day out, and we’re thrilled that he’s going to be our captain.’

The decision made by upper management seems to be one supported by players and coaches as well. 

‘It’s what our team thinks and the players think he’s a great leader,’ said head coach Gerard Gallant.

‘He showed that in his hockey game last year, the way he played for our team and the way he showed up every night.’  

A number of Rangers players – including stars Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, all rumored to be considered for the job – sent Trouba messages of congratulations.

‘If you ask the guys in that locker room, 100% of them will tell you that he’s been our captain without actually wearing the “C” for the last couple of years,’ Kreider said in a statement through the tam.

‘I’m incredibly happy for him to have this honor and to represent the team because of everything he does for us. He has broad shoulders and no matter the situation and context, he’s unequivocally himself as a person and how he leads.’

Zibanejad released a statement through the team as well, candidly saying , ‘To be honest, I was waiting for this to happen. I’m really excited for him.

‘He is very honest and very genuine as a leader. Everyone in the locker room respects him and I think it was a great choice.’

Trouba arrived in Manhattan in the summer of 2019, after six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets

Trouba was initially selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2012 draft and played 408 games for the Manitoba-based franchise. 

In the summer of 2019, the Rangers acquired Trouba in exchange for defenseman Neal Pionk and a first round pick in the 2019 draft used to select defenseman Ville Heinola. 

Since that trade, Trouba has appeared in 189 games for the Blueshirts, putting up 20 goals and 58 assists for 78 points and a combined plus/minus of 16. 

Trouba may have made his name as an offensive-minded defenseman, but during those three seasons in New York, he has also managed to accumulate 171 penalty minutes 

Before the start of the 2020-21 season, Trouba was named an alternate captain alongside Panarin, Zibanejad, and Kreider.

Last season, Trouba put up his best statistical totals with the Rangers so far, getting 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points and a plus/minus of 25 across 81 games.

In the playoffs, he managed 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 20 games, but crucially gave up 25 penalty minutes.  

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Trouba hopes to take the team back