The Edmonton Oilers have promoted Jordan Eberle to full-time assistant captain.
Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger announced Eberle’s new role on Tuesday, adding that forward Taylor Hall and defenceman Nick Schultz will alternate as assistant captain each game throughout the season.
Coach Krueger announces #Oilers full-time A-Captain will be Jordan Eberle while Taylor Hall and Nick Schultz will alternate A’s each game
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 15, 2013
“It’s the passion they bring to the game, to our team and the city of Edmonton.” – Coach Krueger on @hallsy04 and @ebs_14 earning A’s
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 15, 2013
“It’s exciting news, and it’s an honour to be a captain, but we have a lot of leadership in this room,” Eberle told Oilers.com.
Eberle is only in his third season with the Oilers after the club selected him 22nd overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
He finished with 34 goals and 42 assists, with a plus-4 rating in 78 games last season.
Hall, 21, was thrilled that he will serve as an alternate assistant captain.
“It’s a true honour to wear a letter for the Oilers. There have been so many great captains in the history of this team,” he told the team’s official website.
The first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Hall finished with 27 goals, 26 assists and a minus-3 rating in 61 games last season.
Shonn Horcoff remains the Oilers’ captain.
Edmonton kicks off the 2013 regular season when they take on the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday.
