Imagine a time when NHL team captains didn’t have any distinctive markings on their jerseys, a common practice in the league’s early days. Historical photos reveal that legendary Canadiens captains like Newsy Lalonde and Babe Seibert blended in with their teammates without any visible indication of their status.
So, when did the ‘C’ for captains and ‘A’ for alternate captains first appear on NHL uniforms, and why?
Hector “Toe” Blake had already been captain of the Canadiens for five seasons by the start of the 1946-47 season. His appointment as captain was low-key, often mentioned only in captions under team photos. Fans had little awareness of who the captain was, aside from Blake occasionally discussing calls with referees.
The Canadiens’ home opener that season was notable, featuring the unveiling of three championship banners presented to Blake by NHL President Clarence Campbell. Despite this grand occasion, Blake’s uniform lacked any letter designating him as captain.
The absence of a clear captaincy mark often led to confusion among referees, who sometimes forgot who the captain was. This issue prompted Detroit Red Wings captain Sid Abel to wear the ‘C’ on his right shoulder, making his role clear during discussions with referees. The NHL soon adopted this practice, mandating that all team captains wear a ‘C’ and alternates an ‘A’. La Presse reported this change on December 24, 1946.
Blake donned the ‘C’ for the first time on December 28, 1946, contributing significantly to his team’s performance that night. His leadership extended beyond the ice; he was a top scorer in Canadiens’ history.
Interestingly, reports suggested that Blake also wore the ‘C’ on his sleeve, a practice seen in other leagues. The NHL’s guidelines for captain markings were still evolving, allowing some flexibility regarding placement on the jersey.
The situation with assistant captains was less clear-cut. The Canadiens allowed goaltender Bill Durnan to wear the ‘C’ when Blake was off the ice, creating a unique dynamic where both wore the letter. This dual-captain setup persisted through the remainder of the season, with Blake clearly recognized as the captain.
The NHL formalized its rules regarding captains at the start of the 1947-48 season, clearly defining the captain’s responsibilities and markings. Durnan continued to wear the ‘C’ until Blake’s retirement in 1948, at which point the team voted for a new captain.
By the 1970s, the rules surrounding captains and alternates evolved further, establishing stricter guidelines about their conduct with referees. Modern rules now stipulate that only designated captains and alternates can engage with referees, reflecting the established structure within teams today.
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