Giordano Wears the 'C'

One of the biggest questions during the Kraken's inaugural training camp-in fact, since the 2021 Expansion Draft picks were announced-is who going to be named the first captain in Seattle NHL history?
The answer is defenseman Mark Giordano, who knows the job well after eight years wearing the "C" in Calgary and three earlier years as alternate captain.

On Expansion Draft Day, Giordano told fans at Gas Works Park, that he planned to be a "reliable defenseman" during a Q-and-A with Kraken TV analyst JT Brown. The next day in a sitdown for the Kraken app, Giordano acknowledged he might have been a bit modest about his impact for the first year of the NHL's 32nd franchise.

"I can still contribute on both ends ice," said Giordano. "I know I am older guy [37], but I feel great physically and mentally. If you want to play big minutes in the NHL you have to play against other team's best players.
"I also think I can help our young defensemen a little bit and all our younger players."
Kraken General Manager Ron Francis and Head Coach Dave Hakstol clearly agree. A vote of confidence from Francis, a captain on three different NHL teams during his 23-season career, will be appreciated by Giordano, who begins his 14th NHL season when he steps onto Vegas ice Tuesday wearing the "C" on his white road jersey.

Wearing the "A" for alternate captain duties will be four players: Forwards Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz and Yanni Gourde, plus veteran defenseman Adam Larsson.
Eberle was an alternate captain in Edmonton for five years during that franchise's rebuild. Schwartz served the last three seasons wearing the "A" in St. Louis, while Larsson did the same for the last four seasons in Edmonton.
It is Gourde's first time as an alternate captain but along with his pivotal role in helping Tampa Bay win back-to-back Stanley Cups the last two seasons, his work ethic and enthusiasm for the game, the physical demands and his desire to be a supportive teammate (he has been an early arrival every day of camp no matter if his group was skating later).