Habs Name Gionta Captain

  The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Brian Gionta has been named team captain on Wednesday.

  Gionta becomes just the 28th player to captain this historic original-six franchise in 101 storied years. Gionta was one of the three assistants (captains) named ahead of last season along with defensemen Hal Gill and Andrei Markov. The Candiens went the entire year without an official captain, making Gionta the first player to wear the ‘C’ since Saku Koivu’s last game played as a Canadien at the end of the 2008-09 season. Koivu held the captaincy for 10 years before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

"It's one of the most storied franchises in the league. It's obviously quite an honor,'' said Gionta. ''I'm real excited about it, but obviously, with all the guys, the hall of famers who have come through here, it's pretty special.''

  Gionta has been recognized for his leadership both on and off the ice through his first year with the Canadiens. His veteran leadership on the ice and in the locker room, combined with his team lead in goals (28), powerplay goals (10), and team lead in average time on ice among forwards (20:45) through the regular season led to the obvious decision. He followed up his regular season with a 2nd best in points with 9 goals and 6 assists for 15 points in 19 playoff games, again leading the team in time on ice as he was one of the driving forces taking the Canadiens all the way to the Eastern Conference Championship.

  Gionta finished up the first of a five year contract he signed with the team last year worth $25 million. The 31 year-old heads into his 9th NHL season having posted 180 goals and 178 assists for 358 points with a plus/minus rating of +65 in 534 career NHL games.

  Head coach Jaques Martin was quick to praise the Rochester, NY native, who is only the second American born player to captain the Canadiens since Chris Chelios co-captained the team in 1989.

''It was obvious for us, the people that deal with him on a daily basis,'' said Martin. ''I think it's obvious for his teammates as well, and what's probably more important is that our leadership group is still very strong and I think people are very supportive of him.''

  Teammate Mathieu Darche echoed his coach’s sentiments.

''I compare him Martin St.Louis and Ian LaPerriere, two guys I'm friends with,'' said Darche. ''He has the same type of leadership. It's not about what they say or what they look like. They will do anything for the team, and they'll lead by example.''

  Gionta is confident the title will not change his approach or production in Montreal, and there is no question as to what the speedy 5’7 173lbs. right winger brings to the table. Despite his size, he drives to the net often and produces consistently.

''I lead by example on the ice and there's a good group of core guys on this team that can do the majority of the leading. I still think that's going to be the case, regardless if there's a captain or not. It's a group with the core guys that lead the team.''

  Defenseman Hal Gill and Andrei Markov will remain assistant captains for the 2009-10 season.

-    Kendall Grubbs