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| Gabriel Landeskog is the new captain in Colorado. (Getty Images) |
We still don't know when the NHL regular season will start, but whenever it does the Colorado Avalanche will have a new captain.
The team announced on Tuesday that Gabriel Landeskog will take over the role and in the process will become the youngest captain in NHL history. According to the Avalanche, Landeskog, who doesn't turn 20 until Nov. 23, is 11 days younger than Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was when he was named captain in 2007.
"I'm so humbled and greatful for this opportunity, and what an honor to follow the footsteps of the past captains for the Avs," Landeskog said in a Tweet shortly after the announcement.
He will be taking over the role from veteran Milan Hejduk after he informed the coaching staff that he would be relinquishing his role. The 2011-12 season was Hejduk's first -- and only -- season as the Avalanche captain. He instead will serve as an assistant captain this season along with Paul Stastny.
Landeskog, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, is coming off a magnificent rookie season with the Avalanche, which saw him win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year. In 82 games, he scored a team-leading 22 goals to go with 30 assists. He was tied with Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the scoring lead among rookies.
Along with his playmaking ability and offensive game, Landeskog also displayed a stellar defensive game. The Avalanche coaching staff oftened leaned on him to play against the other teams' top players.
The only other captain in the NHL that's currently younger than 25 is Chicago's Jonathan Toews (24).
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