New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh has been named the 27th captain in franchise history, the team announced Monday.
McDonagh, 25, becomes the fourth-youngest captain in Rangers history, and the 11th defenseman in team history to be named captain. The Rangers are now the second franchise in NHL history to have three consecutive American-born captains (along with the Dallas Stars).
"Ryan McDonagh exemplifies what we want a New York Ranger to be," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. "He has earned the respect of his teammates through his commitment to excellence, both on and off the ice, and the passion with which he plays on a consistent basis. He is the ideal choice to lead our team as its captain."
The Rangers also announced that defensemen Dan Girardi and Marc Staal and forwards Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan will serve as the team's four alternate captains.
Last season, 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 established career-highs in goals (14), assists (29), points (43), power-play points (13), shorthanded goals (three), game-winning goals (four), and average ice time (24:49) last season. He tied for second among defensemen with 17 points during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
McDonagh represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he had one goal and one assist in six games.
The Rangers open the regular season on Thursday at the St. Louis Blues.
Congrats @RMcDonagh27 ,new captain of the @NYRangers! Camp is over, look forward to start this week!
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) October 7, 2014 
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