– Bill Peters, Head Coach of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has named defenseman Justin Faulk as one of the team’s alternate captains. Faulk joins Hurricanes captain Eric Staal and alternate captain Jordan Staal as the team’s players with letters on their jerseys designating their leadership positions on the team.

“Justin has emerged as an All-Star player in this league and a leader in our dressing room,” said Peters. “His leadership is on display every day in his commitment to his teammates, and carries through to his dedication to the organization and our community.”

Faulk, 23, is entering his fifth NHL season with the Hurricanes. In 2014-15, the South St. Paul, MN, native established career highs and led all Hurricanes defensemen in goals (15), assists (34), points (49), games played (82) and average time on ice (24:25). His 49 points were the most in a single season by a Hurricanes defenseman since the team’s relocation in 1997. Faulk ranked in the top 20 among NHL blueliners in points (12th, 49), goals (t-6th, 15), game-winning goals (t-3rd, 4), power-play goals (t-3rd, 7) power-play points (t-12th, 20), shorthanded goals (t-1st, 2), shorthanded points (t-6th, 2) and shots (4th, 238). He was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and competed for Team Toews at the event in Columbus, OH, earning two assists.

During training camp, Faulk and fellow Hurricanes American-born defensemen John-Michael Liles and James Wisniewski teamed up to launch the Hurricanes’ True Defenders program. The new program will give members of the military and their families a full game-night experience at Hurricanes games throughout the season, including tickets, parking and a gift card for merchandise and concessions. For more information on the True Defenders program, please click here.

Originally drafted by Carolina in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft, Faulk (6’0”, 215 lbs.) has scored 33 goals and earned 85 assists (118 points) in 262 career regular-season games with the Hurricanes. He was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team following his inaugural NHL campaign in 2011-12. Prior to turning professional, he captured the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship with the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2011. Faulk has represented the United States in several international tournaments, including the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World U-18 Championship, the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, the 2012, 2013 and 2015 IIHF World Championships and the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.