When the Vancouver Canucks traded captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders earlier this month, there were several questions about the future of the franchise.
And one of the questions that buzzed around the team most frequently among the media and fans alike was: who would take the reins as the team’s next captain?
Horvat had held the position since 2019, succeeding Henrik Sedin who had retired a year earlier.
A number of possible suitors emerged among the Canucks’ remaining players: 23-year-old defenseman Quinn Hughes, 29-year-old winger JT Miller and 24-year-old center Elias Pettersson.
Interviewed by Sportsnet’s John Garrett and Scott Oake After hours After Vancouver’s 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, Pettersson was asked what he thought about captaining the Canucks.
“It would definitely be an honour, but I don’t want to stress or rush into a decision,” said Pettersson. “I’ve never been a captain. I guess everyone knows I’m a pretty quiet guy. It would definitely be an honour, but I want to take some time over the summer to think about it and make a decision.”
Pettersson, when asked about the media responsibility that comes with being a captain, admitted he wasn’t quite sure it quite suited his style.
“That’s the thing… I just want to focus on my game, on winning and doing my best,” he said.
Pettersson has 27 goals and 44 assists in 54 games for the Canucks this season as he leads the team in goals. But right now, he doesn’t seem too concerned about whether or not he’ll be offered the chance to wear the ‘C’ next year.
“There are leaders on the team [Luke Schenn]with [J.T. Miller]and guys with one voice in the dressing room,” he said.
For now, it’s a waiting game for Pettersson and his teammates to see who exactly is the next person in line to become Horvat’s successor.
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