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‘He was one of my closest friends:’ Rockford IceHogs react to Kris Versteeg’s departure

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford IceHogs head coach Derek King plans to name a new team captain after Kris Versteeg left the team Sunday.

The 33-year-old Versteeg, who won two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks, came to a mutual agreement with the IceHogs to terminate his contract after hitting a mental wall in recent weeks following injuries. His departure leaves the IceHogs without a captain, but King doesn’t plan to elevate assistants Matthew Highmore or Tyler Sikura to the role just yet.

“No, not right away,” King said about naming a new captain.