Report: Blues to name Pietrangelo new captain

The St. Louis Blues will make a major announcement on Thursday, naming defenseman Alex Pietrangelo the club's 21st captain, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Pietrangelo will take over the role that David Backes had served since the beginning of the 2011-12 season. After spending the first 10 seasons of his career with St. Louis, Backes hit free agency this past July, promptly signing a five-year, $30-million contract with the Boston Bruins.

As for Pietrangelo, he's set to enter his seventh season with the Blues after being selected fourth overall at the 2008 draft. At just 26 years of age, Pietrangelo already ranks fifth all-time in franchise scoring by defensemen.