The NHL youth movement continues regarding leadership groups. The New York Islanders announced Bo Horvat as their 16th captain, joined by alternates Matthew Schaefer, Kyle Palmieri, Ryan Pulock, and Brayden Schenn. Schaefer, last year’s Calder Trophy winner as top rookie, and Palmieri will wear the ‘A’ at home, while Pulock and Schenn take road games. Fans cheered Schaefer’s quick rise, as well as the blend of youth and vets. However, some noted Mathew Barzal’s absence from the group, and wondered aloud whether this was in some way related to his knee injury. The group supports Head Coach Peter DeBoer‘s plan for a broad leadership core as the season starts this week.
