Hockey is a unique sport in many ways. Only in hockey will players dress so formally to attend a game, or act frighteningly calm about losing a few teeth. And only in hockey are a few players hand selected to sew a single letter onto their jerseys. Sporting a “C” or an A has come to symbolize not only elite skill, but a remarkable ability to carry the weight of a team.

“A good captain is a good role model for their teammates,” explained Deven Liscombe, captain of the Willowdale Blackhawks Minor Bantam A squad. “Over all, I think I have more responsibilities than anyone else on the team.”

A year Deven’s senior, Goulding Park Rangers Bantam AA captain Jake Reynolds was hand selected for the role by his teammates back in August.

“I work to get the guys focused before the game and make sure all the players are acting as a team,” explained Jake. “I think a good captain has the qualities of a great leader and knows how to get his team focused.”

Earlier this week, former Toronto Marlboros captain Dylan Strome was chosen to sport the C once again, this time as part of Team Canada’s World Junior squad. Like Dylan, Ryan no stranger to taking on a leadership role.

“In years before I had been the assistant captain,” said Ryan who wears number 93 in honour of Maple Leafs Alumni Doug Gilmour. “Being named captain felt pretty good. I look up to Doug Gilmour who was captain for the Leafs the Blackhawks. He knew the game very well and always supported his teammates.”

Despite the positives that come along with having a captain, some coaches feel that assigning a designated leadership role isn’t always best in minor hockey.

“As head coach I decided that the kids are too young to officially wear the ‘C’,” said Mark Coyle, head coach of the Don Mills Flyers Minor Atom AAA squad. “The kids don’t yet fully understand the meaning of wearing the C and the responsibilities.”

Mark explained that his team has an unofficial captain – a player who has taken on a leadership role – but he fears that voting on a captain could end up becoming a popularity contest.

Mark is not alone in his approach. Many GTHL teams have chosen to not award the “C” to players until the Minor Peewee and Peewee levels. Instead, Mark sees the Minor Atom level as an opportunity for players to train for a potential captaincy.

“We have a great kid who is being developed to be a team Captain to wear the ‘C’,” explained Mark. “But he just hasn’t reached the appropriate age yet.”