The Blackhawks have a new captain!
For the first time since Jonathan Toews stepped away from the game, Chicago’s hockey team will have someone wearing the “C” on their chest. That someone will be Nick Foligno!
While some might have thought the Hawks would just roll with a group of alternate captains until Connor Bedard was ready to take over the captain role, Kyle Davidson and company felt the time was right to give Foligno the honor. And honestly, I don’t really think they’re wrong. Bedard’s time will come, he’ll be the 36th captain in franchise history. Naming Foligno the captain now doesn’t really take away from that.
Foligno has been a model of leadership for this young core that’s growing together. The Hawks brought him over prior to last year with one year left on his deal, and the veteran forward more than lived up to expectations offensively, defensively, and as a leader on and off the ice. Instead of potentially chasing a Stanley Cup (which he has never won), Foligno opted to sign a two-year extension with Chicago to keep him around as a leader during the rebuild.
Nick Foligno Named 35th Captain in Blackhawks History
Foligno is the 35th captain in fraಌnchise history and the first selected by Kyle Davidson, Luke Richardson, and company. Davidson released the f൲ollowing statement :
In a very short amount of time, Nick has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and our staff. Nick’s commanding presence in the l🙈ocker room has been instrumental in helping the team find its identity. He has se💯rved as a mentor to many of our young players both on and off the ice while also heading up the leadership group comprised of our veteran players, and we are beyond confident that he will flourish in the role of captain as we usher in a new era of Blackhawks hockey.
Kyle Davidson, Blackhawks General Manager
The Blackhawks will open up training camp t🐼omorrow, so get ready Hawks fans the season is just around the corner!
