The "C"

[hockey23]

Picked up Hockey 5-6 years ago and it has been my crack ever since. Can't get enough of it (playing, TV, Books, etc.). Bottom line its the best sport in the world hands down. I played competitive soccer and football at high levels and those never came close to the commraderie of even a beer league team. As such, and hopefully I can get a global opinion on this, how much more important is the "C" in Hockey than in other sports? My naive opinion is that in a game that asks so much of the individual to sacrifice for his team that to be asked to lead a Hockey team would seem to be much more humbling and honorable than most other sports. Since I am just an old beer leaguer I am wondering if the "C" is preached about in youth Hockey in places like Canada where Hockey is it when it comes to sprots. Just wondering, figured this was the best place to post.

[ck26]

You wear an armband in soccer, but it's exchangable, so when your captain is off the field, someone else is your captain. Hockey's the only other sport where there's an identifiable captain label.

In my state, teams voted for captains and put letters on jerseys starting in bantams. Are other places the same?

[Fish on The Sand]

Originally Posted by cottonking

Hockey's the only other sport where there's an identifiable captain label.

[Sensfanman]

Originally Posted by hockey23

Picked up Hockey 5-6 years ago and it has been my crack ever since. Can't get enough of it (playing, TV, Books, etc.). Bottom line its the best sport in the world hands down. I played competitive soccer and football at high levels and those never came close to the commraderie of even a beer league team. As such, and hopefully I can get a global opinion on this, how much more important is the "C" in Hockey than in other sports? My naive opinion is that in a game that asks so much of the individual to sacrifice for his team that to be asked to lead a Hockey team would seem to be much more humbling and honorable than most other sports. Since I am just an old beer leaguer I am wondering if the "C" is preached about in youth Hockey in places like Canada where Hockey is it when it comes to sprots. Just wondering, figured this was the best place to post.

Usually, in youth hockey, the C goes to the best player unless they are generally disliked. However, as I got older, it became evident the C was more to denote a Captain. One of my friends signed up when he was 17, the last year of youth hockey here, I trained him in the summer, but he wasn't that good. He tried his best all the time, he threw hits and was a good checker and he was the most enthusiastic since it was his first year. He made some good speeches along the way as well and led the team to 1st place and a championship.

So yes, I do think the C matters. When you give it just the best player, it inflates their ego and shows they can do whatever. When you give it to someone truly deserving, it gives the team moral and they shows the "superstars" with egos how to play hard all the time.

Oh and I am not saying that all good youth players have egos and such, but in general, when you're a teenager, and you're better than most people you do tend to get a big head, especially when you aren't quite good enough to play in the next level but are noticeably too good to be in the level you are.

That's just from my personal experience, I can't speak for everyone.

[ArGarBarGar]

Originally Posted by Fish on The Sand

How many teams utilize that label?

[Fish on The Sand]

Originally Posted by Doc Holiday

How many teams utilize that label?

you mean there are teams other than the Red Sox?

[dagr81]

here's another example

[Reds4Life]

The "C" is meaningless imho. A good leader does not need some letter on his uniform.

[David Puddy]

Originally Posted by Doc Holiday

How many teams utilize that label?

I recall Dave Concepcion of the Cincinnati Reds and Keith Hernandez of the New York Mets as having worn the "C" in baseball. I can find a picture of Concepcion from as early as 1985 with a "C." I think Hernandez started to wear one from 1987 to 1989.

Keith Hernandez (left chest)



Dave Concepcion (on left sleeve)



Barry Larkin (above number)