The Montreal Canadiens have named Nick Suzuki captain heading into the 2022-23 season.
Brendan Gallagher and Joel Edmundson will serve as alternates. The leadership group was introduced at a team event on Monday.
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Suzuki, 23, is the 31st captain in Canadiens history and the youngest they've ever appointed. He takes the honor from Shea Weber, who wore the "C" in Montreal for four years but missed all of last season due to injuries. Weber was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights this offseason.
"He's the heartbeat of our team," Gallagher said of Suzuki, according to Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas.
Montreal acquired Suzuki from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018 in a trade that sent Max Pacioretty - Montreal's captain for three years - the other way.
Suzuki made the All-Rookie team during his debut season with the Canadiens in 2018-19. He's established himself as Montreal's top center with 149 points in 203 career games. Suzuki signed an eight-year, $63-million extension that's set to kick in this coming season.
Six NHL teams remain without a captain: the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames.
