The wait to see who would wear the “C” is over.

Veteran Avalanche winger Milan Hejduk was named team captain Monday.

“This is obviously a big honor,” Hejduk said after practice. “It is a big accomplishment. I’ve been in the league a long time, and this is pretty cool.”

Hejduk, a Czech Republic native, becomes the third Avalanche captain since the franchise relocated to Denver in 1995, joining Joe Sakic (1992-2009) and Adam Foote (2009-11). In the 32-year history of the Quebec-Colorado franchise, Hejduk is the 10th captain and second European, joining Peter Stastny (1985-90) from Slovakia.

“There was a process in place and it had to play itself out, and it did,” Colorado coach Joe Sacco said about delaying his decision to name a captain. “Milan is a leader by example, both on and off the ice . . . the way he conducts himself, the way he prepares and practices for games.

“He’s been an Avalanche now for 13 years. He’s won a Stanley Cup. He’s a product of the system here, and he’s what we want our young players to strive for.”

Hejduk, 35, and 25-year-old center Paul Stastny wore an “A” as assistant captains during the first 17 games. A third “A” was rotated among defenseman Erik Johnson and forwards Jay McClement and Cody McLeod.

Sacco said Stastny’s leadership role will not change, and the third “A” will continue to rotate.

“It doesn’t come as a surprise to any of us,” Stastny said of the news. “We’ve always looked at (Hejduk) as one of our leaders. He’s been here the longest time. We’re excited for him.”

Hejduk, who played with Sakic and Foote, said he hasn’t been a captain since peewees (ages 11 and 12). He said his leadership style will be more like the similarly softspoken Sakic.

“My personality fits better with Joe,” Hejduk said. “Footie was more vocal than Joe. Joe led by example, on the ice, off the ice, but if something needed to be said, he’d say it. Definitely (more like) Joe. It’s cool.”

Sacco wants Hejduk to be Hejduk.

“I want him to be the person that he is,” Sacco said. “He doesn’t have to change who he is at all, and (should) just lead by example.”

Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com

Colorado at Pittsburgh

5:30 p.m. today, ALT, 950 AM

Spotlight on Evgeni Malkin: While the Penguins continue to wait for Sidney Crosby to return, their other marquee forward, Malkin, is off to a strong start. Big, strong and with lots of skill, Malkin can score a variety of ways.

Avalanche: Left wing Peter Mueller did not accompany the team on the road trip and won’t play in the next two games. Avs coach Joe Sacco said over the weekend Mueller was “probable” to go on the trip, but he remains sidelined with postconcussion symptoms. . . . Right wing Brandon Yip accompanied the team and might play tonight. He has missed all season with a broken right forearm.

Penguins: Pittsburgh is coming off a 5-3 loss at Carolina. . . . Forward Tyler Kennedy will be a game-time decision, coach Dan Bylsma said. . . . This will be the first time the Penguins host the Avs in their new arena, the Consol Energy Center.

Adrian Dater, The Denver Post