Drury Honored to Join Leadership Group, Serve as Alternate Captain for Preds

Jack Drury was already set to be an important part of the Predators future after signing a five-year deal following his arrival from Colorado over the summer. 

Ahead of Opening Night, that stature was solidified even further. 

The 26-year-old centerman was named an alternate captain as part of Nashville’s leadership group last week joining Captain Roman Josi, as well as fellow alternates Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Filip Forsberg. 

The rest of Drury’s teammates found out after Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette made the announcement to the group at the conclusion of the morning skate last Thursday, followed by a hot lap from Drury with plenty of stick taps from the rest of the attendees to celebrate the occasion. 

And after the fact, even though he tried to hide his excitement, Drury’s smile gave him away. 

“Big honor, big responsibility,” Drury said of the news. “Pretty easy with the rest of the leaders to fit in [on the leadership group].” 

From the moment he arrived in Nashville, Drury got his first taste of the established core and how the room operates. He thought enough of the impression made to highlight it during his first media availability of Training Camp last month.  

“I think there's great leadership here that's done a great job, kind of jelling everyone together already,” Drury said in September. “[Josi, O’Reilly, Stamkos], all those guys have done a really good job of making everyone feel at home. And I think certainly the guys they brought in here, high-character guys, too. So, they're guys that want to fit in and be a part of the team right away. I think it's a good mix of the veteran leadership, guys bringing everyone in, and then the guys coming in being willing to kind of jump right into being part of the team.”

Now, Drury gets to be a part of that - and it’s easy to see why. 

The New York City-born forward matched his career high in points last season with 27 (10g-17a) after appearing in all 82 games for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche. Drury tallied a career-high 10 goals – all coming at even strength – and recorded seven multi-point games while averaging a career-best 14:29 of ice time. 

Additionally, Drury further established himself as one of the League’s best in the face-off circle, winning 58.1 percent of his draws, the fifth-highest percentage among players who took at least 900 faceoffs in 2025-26.

He’s also got the NHL bloodlines. Drury’s father, Ted, played eight NHL seasons from 1993-01, and his uncle, Chris Drury, is the current President of Hockey Operations/General Manager for the New York Rangers.

From the moment Preds President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland traded for Drury from his former team in Colorado, the GM made it clear why the center was someone he didn’t hesitate to add to his roster - and then sign him for the foreseeable future. 

“Jack Drury, he’s still young, he's 26 years old, he's got a lot of hockey in front of him,” MacFarland said back in June. “He’s an elite, two-way defensive center who, if he's not one of the best defensive guys in the League, I don't know who is, but I think the really important part for me with Jack is he's a culture changer. He’s a competitive guy on and off the ice that does the right things day in and day out that help teams win hockey games, and I think his impact on an organization goes beyond the ice. It’s in the locker room. The impact on the future young Preds, whether it's Brady Martin or [Egor] Surin or [David] Edstrom or Felix Nilsson - it’s really hard to put a number on that. But having been around him and seeing what he does live and in color, there are things that he will impact that you can't put a just can't put a value on.”

Brunette and his coaching staff quickly saw those attributes as well, and as the bench boss explained last week, it didn’t take long to decide Drury deserved to wear a letter. 

“With Jack coming in, he brings a lot of energy, does the right things on and off the ice and he’s a highly competitive kid,” Brunette said. “It was kind of a no-brainer to put him into the [leadership] group right now.” 

For Drury, who has worn a letter before in the minors and in NHL preseason games - but never in a permanent capacity at the NHL level - the honor isn’t taken lightly, especially as he settles into a new club. 

“I think I'll just keep doing the things I do,” Drury said. “Work hard off the ice, on the ice, be a good person; obviously let [Stamkos], Fil, [Factor], all those guys kind of take the lead. So, just kind of follow their example and keep bringing everyone along.

“I think everyone's gelled together really well. We’ve got some really hard workers with our veteran guys and leaders, so it's been really easy to follow their example. They've brought a lot of energy, compete every single day, and that makes it easy to follow.”

Drury, whose sister is a Nashville singer/songwriter herself, is happily settling into his new city. The added responsibility aides in the comfort as well, and even though he’s barely had time to learn his way around town, he’s already been entrusted as a key member of his new team. 

It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly, and one he intends on fulfilling to the best of his ability over the next little while.  

“It means a lot,” Drury said. “I love the staff here so far, and obviously know the management well. So, it's an honor to play here.”