Who will be the Thunderbirds’ next captain?

When the Thunderbirds convene for training camp this fall to prepare for the season, they will be searching for a new team captain. With Justin Hickman and Shea Theodore moving on to the pro ranks this next season, the T-Birds will need someone to step up and don the C on their sweater.

BY ANDY EIDE

May 4, 2015, 9:00 PM Updated: May 5, 2015, 12:16 pm

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Will Jerret Smith be Seattle's next captain? (T-Birds)

(T-Birds)

When the Thunderbirds convene for training camp this fall to prepare for the season, they will be searching for a new team captain. Every team in every sport has a captain, but in hockey, the captain carries more weight.

The captain is the leader on and off the ice, is looked up to by his teammates and is an extension of the head coach. When you think of hockey and captains you think of legendary leaders like Mark Messier, Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic. All were great players in the NHL, but also great captains and their teams all won.

With Justin Hickman and Shea Theodore moving on to the pro ranks this next season, the T-Birds will need someone to step up and don the C on their sweater.

Head coach Steve Konowalchuk knows a thing or two about being a captain. He spent several seasons as the team captain when he played in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. He says there are many different leadership styles that work. There are some guys, like Hickman, who were more vocal and not afraid to get in another player’s face to get him going. But that’s not the only way to do it.

“Joe Sakic never got in any body’s face,” Konowalchuk pointed out about his one-time Colorado Avalanche teammate. “Just lead by example but when you do say something, people listen.”

The T-Birds saw both kinds of leadership styles last year with Hickman and the more reserved Theodore. Konowalchuk said one style isn’t any better than the other.

“Ninety-five percent of being a leader is leading by example,” he said. “You can’t talk if you’re not doing it yourself. If you’re doing it yourself everyone should just follow, and you shouldn’t have to talk that much. If people aren’t following then you’ve got to question what kind of guys you’ve got in the locker room.”

Looking at the T-Birds’ roster, there are several strong candidates to wear the C next season. Konowalchuk said that the decision will be made by the coaching staff and will wait until the fall.

“We have some ideas about who we want,” he said. “Now, with junior hockey, you’ve got to make sure that everyone you think is coming back is coming back. Some of the older guys had pretty good years and maybe get a chance (in pro hockey). I’m sure we’ll wait until we’re 100 percent sure we know who’s coming back.”

Konowalchuk wouldn’t divulge who his candidates but there are some guys who seemingly could fit the bill. Defenseman Jerret Smith and Jared Hauf both were alternate captains through out the past year and could definitely end up the next captain.

Smith had his strongest season in the WHL last year and is one of the guys that could end up with a pro contract. That would mean he would not return to Seattle for his 20-year-old season. If he is back with the T-Birds he could be the odds on favorite to get the captaincy. He is one of the most consistent players on the roster and has the respect of his teammates. He plays hard each night and would lead by example in an effective way.

If Smith isn’t back and they choose to go with a younger player, guys like Mathew Barzal, Ryan Gropp, Ethan Bear, Keegan Kolesar and Scott Eansor could all be candidates. It will all play out during training camp in August and probably through the preseason.

We saw this season how big of a role a strong leadership group in the locker room can be. Despite the youth on the roster the T-Birds showed a great deal of resiliency. Some of that is due to the character of the players, but a lot of it had to do with the veteran leaders.

Having the right leader is vital and with an upcoming season that is full of promise, picking the right guy will be as important as ever.