McDonagh welcomes challenge as Rangers captain

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh considers it quite an honor to be named the 27th captain in franchise history.

McDonagh met the media Tuesday for the first time since he was named captain Monday.

"This is an Original Six team, so it means a lot," McDonagh said according to NorthJersey.com. "The expectation that this organization expects from its players and obviously its leaders, you're expected to carry yourself very well on and off the ice.

"It's something I'm very aware of and something that I'm going to continue to work at, and I'm very fortunate to have a great group of leaders around me."

The Rangers on Monday also named four alternate captains, defensemen Marc Staal and Dan Girardi and forwards Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan.

McDonagh, 25, is the fourth-youngest captain in Rangers history and the 11th defenseman in to be named captain. The Rangers are the second franchise in NHL history to have three consecutive American-born captains (along with the Dallas Stars).

"He just embodies the core values that we feel captain has to have, and I think he's a great role model," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "He's one of our hardest-working players, and probably the most important thing is the respect that he has in our dressing room."

Upon hearing the news, Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist tweeted: "Congrats @RMcDonagh27, new captain of the @NYRangers! Camp is over, look forward to start this week!"

McDonagh established career-highs last season in goals (14), assists (29), points (43), power-play points (13), shorthanded goals (three), game-winning goals (four) and average ice time (24:49 per game). He tied for second among defensemen with 17 points during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Teammates and the coaching staff showed confidence in me," McDonagh said. "It's a great responsibility and a challenge, and I'm looking forward to it. I felt like I've gained a lot of confidence these last couple of years here and I'm real comfortable with the organization and especially among the teammates. I think they trust me and understand the kind of attitude and kind of player I try to be every day."

McDonagh was named Team MVP and received the Players' Player Award, which recognizes the Ranger who best exemplifies what it means to be a team player. McDonagh became the 10th defenseman in team history to be selected as Team MVP since the award's inception following the 1941-42 season, and he was the first Ranger to be named Team MVP and receive the Players' Player Award in the same season since Brian Leetch in 2002-03.

McDonagh represented the United States at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he had one goal and one assist in six games.

The Rangers open the regular season Thursday at the St. Louis Blues.