NHL Goalie Captains – Can Goalies Be Captains in the NHL?

You may be wondering why you often see the “C” on a player’s jersey to designate them as the captain of the hockey team; however, you never see a goaltender with the same designation.

Can goaltenders be captains, or is it against the rules? Let’s have a look.

Can NHL goalies be captains?

Goalies typically can’t be captains in most hockey leagues and recreational games because the role of the captain is to speak to the referees, and this is logistically difficult for a goalie who needs to stay inside his crease and be mentally and physically prepared for the puck drop. 

When was the last time a goalie was captain in the NHL?

In 2008, Roberto Luongo playing for the Vancouver Canucks at the time, became the sixth goaltender captain in the NHL. This was, however very short-lived, as the NHL has rules against this. 

NHL Rule 14D states that “no player-manager or goalkeeper” is allowed to be the captain of an NHL franchise.

So, you could technically say that Bill Durnan of the Montreal Canadians, during the 1947-48 season, was the last goaltender to actually perform captain duties on the ice before this rule was implemented.

Going back to Luongo, then Canucks player Willie Mitchell would handle all talking to referees during games. At the same time, Luongo would serve as the off-ice captain and perform the off-ice duties.

The NHL would not allow Luongo to wear the C on his jersey, so he decided to paint a C on the chin of his mask.

Before the 2010 season, Roberto Luongo decided to step down from his role as captain of the Canucks due to him just wanting to focus on being a goalie and not having to deal with any other distractions.

Roberto Luongo will likely be the last goalie in NHL history, as it just causes more headaches than it is worth.

What goalies have been captains in the NHL?

• Josh Ross Roach for the Toronto St Patricks in 1924
• George Hainsworth for the Montreal Canadiens in 1932
• Roy Worters for the New York Americans in 1932
• Alec Connell for the Ottawa Senators in 1932
• Charlie Gardiner for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1933
• Bill Durnan for the Montreal Canadiens in 1947

So why can’t goalies be captains?

Under Rule 14D, goalie captains are illegal in the National Hockey League. However, this rule stretches beyond the NHL. In the AHL, IIHF, NWHL, USA Hockey, and Hockey Canada, you cannot have a goaltender captain, meaning that pretty much any league you can think of probably has this same rule.

Why are hockey goalies not captains?

The rule is in place for almost entirely a logistical reason. The role of a hockey captain on the ice goes beyond just helping lead the team and being an example for teammates.

The official role of the captain is to act as an intermediary between the officials and the bench should there be an on-ice issue or penalty discussion.

In many leagues, any player not wearing a letter cannot speak to the referees. For a goalie to be captain, they would have to skate from their crease to the official’s circle every time one of these stoppages in play happened as their team’s official representative.

Not only is that inefficient time-wise, but also a significant distraction for a position that requires so much mental prowess.

Overall, having a goaltender as a captain doesn’t make sense.

Goalie Captain Facts:

• There have been six goalies in NHL history
• Before Luongo, the last goalie to be captain was in 1947-48
• Bill Durnan was the cause of rule 14D, as he spent so much time talking to refs that the average length of the game increased. In fact, it has often been labelled the Durnan rule
• Charlie Gardiner is the only goalie captain ever to win the Stanley Cup as captain. He did so with the 1934 Chicago Blackhawks

Wrapping it up

So by the rules, no, a hockey goalie cannot be the captain of their team. It is important to remember that a player does not need a letter to be a leader.

A goalie can be a leader on and off the ice without being named an official captain, and many goalies are well respected by their teams.

However, do not expect to see a goalie arguing a penalty at center ice soon.