Bobby Holik Named Atlanta Thrashers Captain

[VodkaFish]

Bobby Holik Named Atlanta Thrashers Team CaptainThe Atlanta Thrashers have named veteran center Bobby Holik team captain, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. It was also announced that Niclas Havelid, Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Vyacheslav Kozlov will serve as assistant captains on an alternating basis.

“Over his entire career, especially during his two seasons with the Thrashers, Bobby has proven that he is a leader both on and off the ice.” said Waddell. “He has the experience of 16 NHL seasons and two Stanley Cups to help guide our team and build upon the success of last season.”

Four of the players have served as assistant captains for the Thrashers previously – Holik (2005-06 and 2006-07), Havelid (2006-07), Hossa (2006-07) and Kozlov (2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07) – with Kovalchuk entering his first season as an assistant captain. The five players have combined for 3,618 games and 52 seasons of NHL experience, 340 games of NHL playoff experience and four Stanley Cup Championships.

Holik, a 16-year NHL veteran and winner of two Stanley Cups (New Jersey in 1995 and 2000), has served as a Thrashers assistant captain since signing with the team as a free agent on Aug. 2, 2005. He has appeared in 1,170 NHL games with Hartford, New Jersey, the NY Rangers and the Thrashers, recording 704 points (307 goals, 397 assists) and amassing 1,267 penalty minutes. The 6-4, 230-pound native of the Czech Republic has appeared in 146 games over two seasons as a Thrasher, recording 62 points (26 goals, 36 assists). In 138 playoff games with Hartford, New Jersey and Atlanta, he has tallied 58 points (20 goals, 38 assists), including one assist in four games in the Thrashers first playoff appearance last season.

“Our group of leaders know what it takes to be successful in this league,” said Head Coach Bob Hartley. “They are all high-character individuals who lead by example and are committed to our goals as a team.”

Havelid, acquired from Anaheim on June 26, 2004, has recorded 138 points (31 goals, 107 assists) in 469 NHL games with the Ducks and Thrashers. He has appeared in 25 post-season contests, tallying six assists while helping Anaheim to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003.

Hossa has totaled 582 points (270 goals, 312 assists) in 629 NHL games with Ottawa and the Thrashers. Acquired from the Senators on Aug. 23, 2005, Hossa has appeared in 162 games with the Thrashers, tallying 192 points (82 goals, 110 assists). In 55 career playoff games with Ottawa and Atlanta, he has tallied 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists).

Kovalchuk was drafted by the Thrashers first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 387 games for the team, recording 379 points (202 goals, 177 assists). He recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in four games during the first post-season action of his NHL career.

Kozlov, a 15-year NHL veteran and winner of two Stanley Cups (Detroit in 1997 and 1998), has registered 710 points (305 goals, 405 assists) in 963 NHL games with the Red Wings, Sabres and Thrashers. Since coming to Atlanta in a draft-day trade on June 22, 2002, Kozlov has appeared in 318 games with the Thrashers, tallying 273 points (94 goals, 179 assists) while setting career-highs for points (80) and assists (52) last season.

[Sourdoughkeeper]

Props to Holik. I figgered itd either be him or Kozlov, but Im happy with it either way. Both are real good leaders.