New York Rangers Breaking News: Ryan Callahan Named Captain

The New York Rangers have announced that Ryan Callahan has been named the 26th captain in the team's prestigious history. Callahan will be taking the "C" from former-captain Chris Drury, who was bought out and subsequently retired this offseason. 

Many have been calling Callahan to be named captain, even before Drury was bought out. The reality is that Callahan plays a captain's game, does whatever is needed to win and is well respected by the league and his teammates. It's a perfect finishing touch on a brilliant offseason for the organization. As fans, you have to be happy that a home-gorwn prospect will don the "C" this year for the Rangers. 

Marc Staal and Brad Richards were also named assistant captains. While some might be upset that Brandon Dubisnky wasn't named an assistant captain, John Tortorella knows and trusts Richards, and wants the proven leader to do just that this year. 

A statement from Glen Sather after the jump. Official press release below. 

Glen Sather spoke to Andrew Gross and the rest of the media, and made this statement: 

"Ryan Callahan embodies all the leadership qualities we seek from our Captain," GM Glen Sather said in a statement. "He leads by example with courage and tireless work ethic on and off the ice, which is why he is so deserving of this honor."    

Here is the official New York Rangers press release: 

RYAN CALLAHAN NAMED 26th RANGERS CAPTAIN

            

New York, September 12, 2011 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Ryan Callahan has been named the 26th captain in franchise history.  Brad Richards will join Marc Staal as the club's two alternate captains.

"Ryan Callahan embodies all the leadership qualities we seek from our Captain," Sather said.  "He leads by example with courage and a tireless work ethic on and off the ice, which is why he is so deserving of this honor."

Callahan, 26, has served as a Rangers Alternate Captain for the last two seasons after being named to the post on October 2, 2009.  He captured a silver medal with Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, and is a two-time Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner (2008-09 and 2009-10).  Last season, Callahan captured the Players' Player Award, as voted by his teammates, and the John Halligan Good Guy Award, selected by the NY chapter of the PHWA in recognition of cooperation with the media.

Entering his fifth season in the NHL, Callahan was originally selected as the Rangers' fourth round choice, 127th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.  He has registered 76 goals and 68 assists for 144 points, along with 179 penalty minutes in 284 career regular season games.  Callahan has reached the 40-point plateau and surpassed the 20-goal mark in two of the last three seasons, and has recorded 200-plus hits in each of the last three seasons.  The Rochester, New York native enjoyed his most productive season in 2010-11, establishing career-highs in goals (23), assists (25) and points (48) despite missing 22 games due to injury.  He tallied his first career hat trick with four goals and a career-high five points on March 6 vs. Philadelphia, and notched his first career penalty shot goal on October 30 at Toronto.  On October 23, Callahan registered his 100th career point with an assist on the game-winning goal at Boston.  Callahan made his NHL debut on December 1, 2006 at Buffalo, and tallied his first career NHL point with a two-goal performance on March 17, 2007 vs. Boston.

 

NEW YORK RANGERS TEAM CAPTAINS

Bill Cook                        (1926-27 - 1936-37)

Art Coulter                     (1937-38 - 1941-42)

Ott Heller                       (1942-43 - 1944-45)

Neil Colville                    (1945-46 - December 21, 1948)

Buddy O'Connor             (1949-50)

Frank Eddolls                 (1950-51 - December 6, 1951)

Allan Stanely                 (December 20, 1951 - November 3, 1953)

Don Raleigh                   (November 4, 1953 - 1954-55)

Harry Howell                  (1955-56 - 1956-57)

George Sullivan             (1957-58 - 1960-61)

Andy Bathgate               (1961-62 - February 22, 1964)

Camille Henry                (February 23, 1964 - February 4, 1965)

Bob Nevin                      (February 5, 1965 - 1970-71)

Vic Hadfield                   (1971-72 - 1973-74)

Brad Park                      (1974-75 - November 7, 1975)

Phil Esposito                  (November 12, 1975 - October 10, 1978)

Dave Maloney                (October 11, 1978 - December 6, 1980)

Walt Tkaczuk                 (December 7, 1980 - February 3, 1981)

Barry Beck                    (February 4, 1981 - May 9, 1986)

Ron Greschner               (October 9, 1986 - December 3, 1987)

Kelly Kisio                     (December 24, 1987 - May 30, 1991)

Mark Messier                 (October 7, 1991 - May 25, 1997)

Brian Leetch                  (October 3, 1997 - July 13, 2000)

Mark Messier                 (July 13, 2000 - April 3, 2004)

Jaromir Jagr                  (October 5, 2006 - June 30, 2008)

Chris Drury                    (September 30, 2008 - June 29, 2011)

Ryan Callahan              (September 12, 2011 - Present)