The Florida Panthers have made it official, naming Derek MacKenzie - not Aaron Ekblad - the ninth captain in franchise history.
#FlaPanthers Name Derek MacKenzie the 9th Captain in Franchise History.https://t.co/ZKyF8K8xwD pic.twitter.com/kl8gXQcCDn
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) October 9, 2016
He was introduced at the team's trip to West Point Military Academy, along with Ekblad and Jussi Jokinen, who will serve as alternates.
It's a curious decision, given MacKenzie's limited on-ice role. But the Panthers do covet a veteran presence, having previously entrusted Willie Mitchell with the captaincy.
MacKenzie is the definition of a journeyman, but impressed the organization enough to score a two-year contract extension this summer.
