The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without a captain for the second consecutive season, according to head coach Mike Babcock.

The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs took to the ice with a player sporting a ‘C’ on their jersey was Feb. 26, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators when defenceman Dion Phaneuf held the honour. Three days later Phaneuf was traded to the Senators and the captaincy has been vacated ever since.

This is the third time that Toronto has gone consecutive years without a captain. After Rick Vaive was captain from 1981-1986, the team spent three straight seasons without one until Rob Ramage earned the distinction, and there was a two-year gap between Mats Sundin ending his Maple Leafs career and Phaneuf receiving his captain recognition.