The Minnesota Wild have a new leader at the helm as they head into the new season.
The club announced Sunday that defender Jared Spurgeon will take over the 'C' this season as he suits up for his 11th campaign with the franchise. Ryan Suter and Zach Parise will serve as alternate captains once again.
Spurgeon General has a whole new meaning.
Introducing...
Congratulations Jared! #mnwild pic.twitter.com/kcjO6a48Pv— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 3, 2021
Veteran pivot Mikko Koivu served as Minnesota's captain for the past decade, first earning the honour in 2009. The 37-year-old parted ways with his longtime club in the off-season, however, inking a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets and leaving the Wild's captaincy up for grabs.
Spurgeon first joined the Wild in 2010 and has gone on to serve as one of the team's blue-line anchors over the decade since, averaging more than 20 minutes per night in all but his rookie year, and more than 24 per night in three of those seasons.
The 31-year-old put up 32 points through 62 games for Minnesota in 2019-20, adding four points through four post-season tilts. He inked a seven-year extension with the Wild last year, keeping him in Minnesota until 2027.
