Connor McDavid Becomes Youngest Captain in NHL History (2024)

Edmonton Oilers wunderkind Connor McDavid doesn't turn 20 years old until Jan. 13, but on Wednesday, the Oilers made him the youngest team captain in NHL history:

McDavid, who Edmonton selected first overall in 2015, is 19 years, 266 days old. He's 20 days younger than Gabriel Landeskogwas when the Colorado Avalanche made him the youngest captain in league history in 2012.

McDavid also became the Oilers' first captain since the 2014-15 season, as Andrew Ference relinquished his role last year and opted to become an alternate captain alongside Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Hall looked like he would be next to receive Edmonton's "C" patch after being taken No. 1 overall in 2010 and spending six full seasons with the club. But the Oilers dealt him to the New Jersey Devils in the offseason, leaving the door open for McDavid.

Despite being 19 years old, his demeanor has impressed those around him including new teammate Milan Lucic, who signed a seven-year deal with Edmonton over the summer, perMark Spector of Sportsnet.com: "He's a very mature young man. It's surprising he's only 19 years old, the way he carries himself.That's what is going to make him a great leader."

The veteran, who won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, noted the possibility of playing alongside McDavid made the move to Edmonton "enticing," perNHL.com. He will be joining Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins as an alternate captain.

McDavid looked mature beyond his years on the ice during his injury-shortened 45-game rookie season, recording 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points:

It had the NHL comparing him to one of the greatest hockey players to ever hit the ice:

As one of the most gifted youngsters in the NHL and Edmonton's most talented forward, it was only a matter of time before the team named McDavid captain.

He'll now have the responsibility of leading a franchise that has been stuck in the basem*nt of the Western Conference for most of the last decade back into the postseason conversation.