Habs name Nick Suzuki captain heading into 2022-23 campaign
Anthony Scultore
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The Montreal Canadiens have announced on Monday that Nick Suzuki will serve as the franchise’s 31st captain. In addition, Brendan Gallagher and Joel Edmundson will be his alternate captains.
Shea Weber was the team’s previous captain but injuries have ended his career prematurely. His contract was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights over the summer.
Suzuki was acquired as part of the Max Pacioretty trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017.
Canadiens name Nick Suzuki captain
Suzuki, 23, becomes the youngest captain in team history. His name now joins the company of greats such as Saku Koivu, Guy Carbonneau, Jean Béliveau, and Maurice Richard to name a select few.
Per the team’s press release:
MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes announced on Monday the appointment of Nick Suzuki as the 31st captain in team history. The decision was made by the club’s hockey management personnel.
An alternate captain last season, Suzuki succeeds Shea Weber, who served as captain between 2018 and 2022.
Suzuki recorded 61 points in 82 games last season for the Canadiens. For his brief career spanning three years, he’s amassed 143 points in 209 contests.
The Habs wasted no time getting Suzuki under term after losing Jesperi Kotkaniemi to a Hurricanes’ offer sheet. In October of 2021, they inked him to a eight-year extension worth $63 million ($7.875M AAV).
“I love the city of Montreal,” he said after signing. “I love being a Canadien, and to do that for hopefully the next nine years is something I’m really looking forward to. It’s huge for me and my family and we’re really happy that it all worked out.”
Suzuki was selected 13th overall by Vegas in the 2017 Draft.
