The San Jose Sharks announced that forward Joe Pavelski will be the team’s new captain Monday. The 31-year-old pivot is the 12th captain, and ninth full-time one, in franchise history.
Pavelski was the consensus favorite to receive the honor after handling many of the captain’s typical duties last season, including ceremonial face-offs and handshakes. He led San Jose in scoring the past two seasons, and at 31-years-old, is entering the prime of his career with the Sharks.
In Pavelski, San Jose has a captain that is widely respected by his teammates and can relate to many of them.