Heisler’s List is a weekly feature that follows the progress of players that have elected to utilize my services as a player consultant. We continually monitor each prospect’s play and conditioning year-round with an emphasis on helping to achieve individual goals on and off the ice.

In this article Heisler Hockey Group players were asked this question: How much authority should teams give the team captain? What are some of your expectations from him?

1997

Scott Bagby, Defensemen (Downers Grove IL) – I think the captain should have a lot of authority over the team and how things are ran in the locker room. I'd expect the captain to keep everything running smoothly, keep the boys getting along well, and just making sure every player is prepared for each and every practice and game.

Bradley Budman, Defensemen (Foothill Ranch CA) -I believe that the coach should speak through the captain. Everyone should listen and respect what he says. The captain shouldn't have a higher pedestal than the rest of the team.

Levi Cudmore, Forward (Park River ND) - I think it all depends on the captain. Each captain has different ways of leading a team. And a coach should base the authority of the captain on how respected he is within the team and how much the guys follow him. Some expectations are making sure everyone is on time to things, getting after kids who aren't preforming like they should be, always giving the guys feedback and also never letting the team get down.

Michael Fary, Forward (Anaheim CA) – I believe the team captain is hugely vital in the function of a team, because the captain acts as a bridge between his coaching staff and the players. The captain is the head of the locker room, and keeps the team grounded and level headed. Although some may say this is a coach’s job, I do believe that the captain has a huge role in governing the team and helping guide younger players. Captains are expected to lead by example, treat his teammates and coaches with the utmost respect, and have a constant work ethic. I believe a captain should be a part of team decision making and truly be a representative of the morals and goals of a team.

Lukas Slansky, Forward (Frydek-Mistek CZECH) – Team should give the captain authority if the captain is good as a teammate. The captain should lead the team and be the example for others, do the little things first like bring the pucks or board. This is not just a rookie’s job. The captain most important thing is always have the teammates’ back no matter what.

Cole Woodliffe, Forward (Vernon BC) - The team captain is the leader of the team; he should have as much authority as he needs to keep the team on the right path. The captain should be expected to rally the team in low situations and keep the team level in high ones. The captain should be one of the best role models off the ice and in the community. The captain should be someone that everyone likes and he should be someone that everybody trusts.

Alex Yuk, Forward (Mustang OK) – Enough power to be respected but not enough power to feared when a captain has all the power it means he runs the team not the coach and that's a big no because that power could get to his head and become nothing more than dictator instead of a captain.

1998

Ross Bartlett, Forward (Fort Myers FL) - A team captain and the coaches should be on the same page at all times. The captain of the team represents the group of guys as a whole, with a strong leader, your team chemistry, and the overall development of the will dramatically be better. Being a leader has its ups and downs, you have to gain your teammates respect, but cannot be afraid to let the coach know when something is not right with the guys.

Lindros Beard, Forward (Copperton UT) – I think the captain should have a good amount of authority and that the coach should talk to him and consult him on changes because I think he has a little more of an idea on how it will affect the locker room.

Weston Goodman, Defenseman (San Jose CA) - I don't think a team captain should have any authority per se. I think their role is more emblematic. They need to be a leader; they need to set the pace and they need to be an example.

Mads-Emil Gransoe, Goalie (Gentofte DEN) - I don't think the captain should have too much authority. In my eyes, it's the captains job to lead the team by example and speak up in the locker room.

Campbell Jackson, Defenseman (Hermosa Beach CA) – Teams should give their captain a good amount of authority but not so much where he's in charge of everybody. He should just be a leader in the locker room and one of the more mature guys whenever he's with the team. From my captain I would expect him to always be at team events such as practice or a workout on time making sure that nobody is late. I'd like him to communicate with everybody on the team about everything that's going on. He should be and older guy on the team that would have experience as a captain before and somebody that everybody on the team likes.

John Lockhead, Forward (East Boston MA) - I feel the team should give the captains the authority to lead inside the lockeroom and on the ice. He is below the coach but every team needs those players who will boost them up when the spirits are down and who will show what true leadership is.

Kenny Lockhead, Forward (East Boston MA) - Team captains should have enough authority but not too much where it separates him from the team. My expectation is for him to look out for his team and make the best decisions for them.

Alex Ouellet, Defenseman (Moncton NB) – The team captain should not have more authority as he is still a player and equal to everyone, however he should be a role model to everyone on the team. I think the team captain should lead by example and help guys if they need help or have questions. He should be a team player and he should do anything that the team needs on and off of the ice.

Alex Silver, Goaltender (Ft. Lauderdale FL) – They're authority will reflect how much the teams like the captain. My expectations for a captain are to be well liked, says what he needs to say, and doesn't just echo what the coach says. Someone who has true leadership, but isn't having it my way or the highway kind of attitude.

1999

Paden Clark, Forward (Loveland CO) – There should never be a lot of authority, everybody is a leader in their own way on the team the authority should be limited to what the coach prefers the boys are family not piers to boss around. My expectations would to never get downbeat when adversity hits, picking your teammates up not down, trustworthy, being honest and bringing the family close never singling anyone out whether rookie or vet, keeping everyone accountable, just being a good guy all around.

Cameron Knowlton, Forward (Soldotna AK) – I think the team should give them a lot of authority because we choose them to lead the team. Some of my expectations for my captain is to hold my teammates accountable and to be there for us on and off the ice.

Trace Parker, Goalie (Houston TX) – I am a firm believer in the team captain gets a lot of power. He's the locker room leader and we listen to him. I expect him to keep the team in line and control the environment for the vets and rookies to make sure nothing gets too far out of hand.

Tristan Slot, Forward (Salt Lake City UT) – Enough to tell the team when they're doing something wrong collectively as a unit and when somebody is doing something out of line and the captain sees it he can talk to them. He can try to get the team going too with a talk or by leading by example on the ice too, like going out and throwing a big hit or scoring a goal or just having a really hard working shift.

2000

Jesse Keicher, Forward (Buffalo NY) – Teams should give their team captain as much authority as the coach. They should go to him with any questions they have because he is the leader of the team. He should be able to handle any situation thrown at him, be open to his teams ideas, and do all this is a efficient manner.

Thomson Phinney, Goalie (Bedford NS) – Teams should give captains a good amount of authority because there the leaders of the team. Captains should be expected to be good team leaders good people and respectful to all players and staff.





2001

Brindamour Beard, Forward (Copperton UT) – I think how much authority the captain has should depend on how good of a leader he is. I expect a captain to be the hardest working and lead by example. I don't expect my captain to stand up and give us a touching motivational speech, but if he does I will listen and buy into everything he has to say.

Brandon Heacock, Goalie (Tonawanda NY) – Team captains should get a limited amount of authority. The captain of a team should have more authority than the other people on the team but not as much as the coach. But with that authority the captain has some responsibilities. The main responsibility a team captain should have is keep up the teams morale.

Noah Locke, Forward (St. John’s NF) - Team captains are put in their position of authority to be leaders. If they aren't trustworthy or are unable to be trusted with the authority they shouldn’t be put in their position in the first place. Personally I believe a captain is your second in command after your coach. A captain dictates your teams start and end of warms ups, events they attend, weekly plans and schedule, curfew and etc. You would think that this is more of a coaches’ job but as a captain you are obligated to be in direct contact with the coach at all times and they will decided amongst each other suitable plans. A captain has tp be respected amongst his peers or else he will be unable to lead them. A captain should have all the authority as long as he is reasonable and a true leader like noticeable in the NHL.

Gunner Moore, Defenseman (Las Vegas NV) – I feel like a team captain should have a good amount of authority but he shouldn't uses it wrong. Team captains are there to keep everyone in line but I also think it just shouldn't be them that do this. I feel like everyone on the team should have some authority to try and do this also.

Mitchell Pulaski, Goalie (Buffalo NY) – A team should give the captain authority but not too much. Having a leader is a very important part of a team, but they should not be overbearing. They should have the power to organize and lead team warm-ups, when to be at games, etc. However, they should not be able to assess punishments, which should be left to the coach. Captains should be given the power to lead, but not punish.

2002

Emily Finach, Goalie (Buffalo NY) – Not much authority but the C should be a positive presence, a motivator, leading by example. I would expect them to lead warmups, help with mental preparations and motivate at practices, help create a team with unity, etc.

2005

Joshua Gawron, Goalie (Buffalo NY) -

COLLEGE LIST

Isaac Cirinna, Forward (’96, Mansfield TX) – King’s College NCAA DIII

Sascha Figi, Center (’97, Uster SUI) – Fitchburg State NCAA DIII

Keaton Leininger, Forward (’96, Bismarck ND) - Plattsburgh State

Cody Tiger Lindsay, Defenseman (’98, Tacoma WA) – University Maryland-Baltimore County (not playing, pre-med)

Stephen Heisler has spent a lifetime in the game of hockey. Stephen is also working with individual teams, coaches, and players as a director with the Heisler Hockey Group. Stephen and his family spend most of their time in Florida.