The captain wears the “C” on their sweater and is the only player allowed to talk to the referee about rule interpretations. Teams usually name one captain and up to two alternate captains, who wear an “A”. Choosing them well matters more than most coaches admit, because the captain sets the tone in the room as much as on the ice.
What the captain actually does
- On the ice: asks officials about rule interpretations. Only the captain or an alternate may do this, and only if they were on the ice or it concerns them.
- In the room: keeps standards, leads by habits in practice, and helps settle conflicts before they grow.
- Between players and staff: passes along concerns, schedules and expectations.
- In the community: represents the team at events and with younger players.
How many captains can a team have?
In the NHL, a team may dress one captain and up to two alternates in a game, or up to three alternates if there is no captain. Most amateur leagues follow the same pattern. Some teams rotate the “A” through the season to give more players a leadership role.
Can a goalie be captain?
A goalie can be a team’s leader, but NHL rules have not allowed goalies to wear the “C” on the ice since 1948, because a goalie leaving the crease to talk to officials slowed games down. Many youth and adult leagues follow similar rules, so check yours. Teams with a goalie leader often name a skater as the official captain.
What to look for in a captain
- Work ethic you can see: first on the ice, last off, finishes drills the right way.
- Composure: calm with officials and able to settle teammates down after a bad goal.
- Respect from teammates: the best captain is not always the best player or the loudest one.
- Communication: willing to have hard conversations privately and give credit publicly.
- Consistency: brings the same attitude when the team is winning or losing.
Three ways to choose
- Coach appointment: fastest, and the coach can weigh things players may not see. Explain the reasons to the team.
- Player vote: builds buy-in, but can turn into a popularity contest. Many coaches use a vote as input rather than the final word.
- Leadership group: pick three or four leaders, then name the C and A’s from that group after a few weeks of watching them.
Tips for youth coaches
- Wait until a few weeks into the season so you have seen how players act under pressure.
- Write down what you expect of captains and share it with players and parents.
- Rotate alternates at younger ages so more kids learn leadership.
- Meet with captains regularly. They should be a bridge to the team, not an extra coach.
A captain’s duties through a season
| When | What a good captain does |
|---|---|
| Preseason | Welcomes new players, models effort at tryouts and training |
| Game day | Leads the warm-up, talks with officials when the rules allow, keeps the bench focused |
| Between periods | Reinforces the coach’s message and settles emotions |
| After a loss | Takes responsibility, avoids blaming teammates, sets the tone for the next practice |
| Off the ice | Includes everyone, checks in on struggling teammates, represents the team well in school and the community |
Building leaders beyond the letter
One player wearing the C cannot carry a team alone. Many coaches build a leadership group of three to five players who share responsibilities, such as organising team events, leading a stretch, or mentoring younger players. This spreads the load and prepares the next captain.
- Give each leader one clear responsibility.
- Meet with the leadership group every few weeks.
- Invite quieter players into leadership roles; not every leader is the loudest voice.
- Review how the group is doing at the halfway point of the season.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a captain
- Picking only the best player without checking character and work ethic.
- Letting a team vote become a popularity contest with no criteria.
- Choosing too early, before new players have had time to show their leadership.
- Never explaining the decision, which can divide the locker room.
Comparing captain selection methods
| Method | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Coach appoints | Coach can pick the player whose values match the team’s goals | Players may feel they had no say |
| Player vote | Captain has the backing of the dressing room | Can turn into a popularity contest |
| Combined approach | Players nominate, coaches make the final decision | Takes more time and needs clear criteria |
| Rotating captains | Gives more players leadership experience, common in youth hockey | Less continuity for referees and teammates |
Announcing the captain
How the choice is announced matters almost as much as the choice itself. Tell the chosen captain and alternates privately first, so they can ask questions about the role. Then announce it to the whole team with a short explanation of why these players were chosen, focusing on behaviour and leadership rather than points or ice time. Players who were not chosen should hear that leadership is expected from everyone, and that the letters can be reviewed during the season if needed.
Supporting the new captain
- Meet the captain regularly to discuss team mood, concerns and goals.
- Clarify what decisions belong to coaches and which the captain can handle.
- Give the captain small responsibilities early, such as leading warm-ups.
- Offer feedback on how they communicate with teammates and officials.
Rules on how many players may wear letters and who can speak to officials are set by the NHL, IIHF, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada and other governing bodies. Check the current rulebook for your league.
Reviewing the choice during the season
A captaincy decision is not fixed forever. Check in at the midpoint of the season to see whether the captain is handling the role well and whether the dressing room still respects them. If changes are needed, handle them privately and with respect, and explain the reasons clearly so the team understands.
Captains in youth hockey
Many youth coaches rotate the letters so that more players learn to lead. If you do this, explain the expectations to every player before their turn and pair younger captains with an experienced alternate for support.
The captain and the referee
On the ice, the captain’s most visible duty is speaking with officials. Good captains stay calm, ask short questions about rule interpretations and accept the answer, which earns respect from referees over a season.
Frequently asked questions
How many alternate captains can a hockey team have?
Usually two when there is a captain, or three with no captain, following NHL practice.
Can goalies be captains in hockey?
Not officially in the NHL since 1948. Some other leagues allow it, so check local rules.
What does the A mean on a hockey jersey?
It marks an alternate captain, who has the same right as the captain to speak with officials when the captain is off the ice.
