There was a surprise in store this afternoon when the Devils gathered together for their opening meeting of Training Camp. Standing at the podium, head coach Sheldon Keefe talked about a certain vacancy the club was heading into the season with: a second alternate captain. But there is a vacancy no more as the club has permanently stitched the A on Jesper Bratt's jersey, handing him the honors.
It was a decision made between Keefe and general manager Sunny Mehta.
The obvious answer was Bratt.
"We talk about being the example, we talk about dong the things that are required, we talk about making the choice, making the decision to do the hard things,” Keefe began. “ When Sunny and I sat down and we talked our way through this, we talked about different people it could be and we have a number of people that I know are absolutely focused on doing what it takes to bring this team to the next level. But one name that really stood out as one, A) does the right things on and off the ice but is also ultra determined to help bring himself and this team to the next level."
And with that, Keefe called up Bratt to the podium to accept a jersey with the A stitched on.
