Chris Kreider sounds off on Jacob Trouba earning captaincy

For the first time since 2018, the New York Rangers will officially have a player wearing the captain's "C" on his jersey. Defenseman Jacob Trouba was named the 28th captain in team history earlier this month, officially succeeding Ryan McDonagh, who was captain at the time of his trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

"Right away when I got here, it was clear that Jacob had a certain presence in the locker room and among his teammates that exemplify what you need out of a captain," said Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant after the announcement. "With where our team is at and where we want to be, he is the right person to lead us there."

And now, Trouba's teammate in Chris Kreider, who enjoyed a career season last year, is offering his thoughts. And they're nothing but positive. 

"If you ask the guys in the locker room, 100% of them will tell you that he's been our captain without actually wearing the "C" for the last couple of years," he said. "I'm incredibly happy for him to have this honor and to represent this team because of everything be does for us. He has broad shoulders and no matter the situation and context. He's himself as a person and how he leads. There's no ego to him off the ice or on the ice, and he represents the game, his teammates, and his opponents."

Trouba has played for both the Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, and has tallied a total of 62 goals and 195 assists for 257 points in 597 career NHL games. Last season, he skated in 81 games while scoring a career best 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points; he would help the Rangers to a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would be felled by the eventual Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.