Tomas Kaberle not among Toronto Maple Leafs’ new alternate captains
The sight of defenceman Tomas Kaberle in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey with an alternate captain’s ‘A’ stitched onto it was once a familiar sight. Due to a recent change to the team’s alternate
captains, Kaberle has lost his letter.
Many other players might have been angered by the removal of a letter from their jersey, but Kaberle’s attitude towards the situation has not affected him at all.
“It’s still the same,” Kaberle said of losing his alternate captaincy. “I still have the same job to do out there. It doesn't matter if I've got the ‘A’ or not. This is the coach’s call,
and I agreed with it, so it’s fine with me.”
It is often said among hockey experts and the players themselves that every team’s locker room has many people who play a leadership role, and that a letter sewn onto a jersey isn’t always
a requirement to be a leader.
The team’s current captain and alternate captains reside on the blue line, with Dion Phaneuf as the captain, and Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin serving as the alternates.
Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said that even though Kaberle is no longer wearing an ‘A’, he is still regarded as one of the team’s leaders.
“We picked three of what we think are the best leaders on this team, and I’ve had conversations with Tomas,” Wilson said of the decision. “He’s comfortable with it, and I’m comfortable
with the situation.”
Wilson added that “...should the need arise where one of the players is injured, without a doubt, Tomas would be the next guy in line to wear an ‘A’.”
Kaberle offered his words of approval for the appointment of his fellow defencemen as the team’s captain and alternate captains.
“They’re great leaders in this room, and he (Wilson) said if something comes up, I’m the next guy,” Kaberle said.
“It’s not about who's wearing the ‘A’ or the ‘C’ in this dressing room; everybody is a leader themselves.”
Tomas Kaberle not among Toronto Maple Leafs’ new alternate captains
The sight of defenceman Tomas Kaberle in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey with an alternate captain’s ‘A’ stitched onto it was
once a familiar sight. However, with a recent change to the team’s alternate captains, Kaberle has lost his letter as a result.
Many other players might have been angered by the removal of a letter from their jersey, but Kaberle’s attitude towards the
situation has not affected him at all.
“It’s still the same,” Kaberle said of losing his alternate captaincy. “I still have the same job to do out there. It doesn't
matter if I've got the ‘A’ or not. This is the coach’s call, and I agreed with it, so it’s fine with me.”
It is often said among hockey experts and the players themselves that every team’s locker room has many people who play a leadership
role, and that a letter sewn onto a jersey isn’t always a requirement to be a leader.
The team’s current captain and alternate captains reside on the blue line, with Dion Phaneuf as the captain, and Mike Komisarek
and Francois Beauchemin serving as the alternates.
Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said that even though Kaberle is no longer wearing an ‘A’, he is still regarded as one of the
team’s leaders.
“We picked three of what we think are the best leaders on this team, and I’ve had conversations with Tomas,” Wilson said of
the decision. “He’s comfortable with it, and I’m comfortable with the situation.”
Wilson added that “should the need arise where one of the players is injured, without a doubt, Tomas would be the next guy
in line to wear an ‘A’.”
Kaberle offered his words of approval for the appointment of his fellow defencemen as the team’s captain and alternate captains.
“They’re great leaders in this room, and he (Wilson) said if something comes up, I’m the next guy,” Kaberle said.
“It’s not about who's wearing the ‘A’ or the ‘C’ in this dressing room; everybody is a leader themselves.”