After trading Brad Marchand, who was named the 27th captain in franchise history ahead of the 2023-24 season, to the Florida Panthers in March 2025, the Bruins entered last season with three alternate captains in David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm.
It was the first time since the 2001-02 season that the team entered a season without a captain.
Could they go back-to-back seasons without naming a captain for the first time since the early 1970s?
As part of the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, presented by Arbella Insurance (donate online here), WEEI’s Rich Shertenlieb and NESN’s Tom Caron sat down with Boston Bruins President and Alternate Governor Cam Neely, Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, New England Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo, Boston Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer and Boston Legacy General Manager Domènec Guasch for a leadership panel, where Neely addressed the possibility of the Bruins entering another season without a captain.
“I don’t know if you necessarily need to have a guy unless there is that one guy that really stands out,” Neely said. “We’ve been blessed to have great captains here. From [Ray] Bourque, [Zdeno] Chara, [Patrice] Bergeron. We like leaders, not followers. So you can hopefully have 20 leaders. That’s the one thing that we look at: who is going to help lead the team? Maybe it’s more of a tradition in hockey where you have a letter on your sweater. Don [Sweeney], Marco [Sturm], and I are going to sit down shortly to talk about that.”
Recent Bruins captains include Brad Marchand (2023-25), Patrice Bergeron (2021-23), Zdeno Chara (2006-20), Joe Thornton (2002-05), Jason Allison (2000-01), Ray Bourque (1985-2000), Rick Middleton (1985-88), Terry O’Reilly (1983-85), Wayne Cashman (1977-83), Johnny Bucyk (1966-67, 1973-77), Leo Boivin (1963-66), and Don McKenney (1961-63).
During the panel, each front office executive also shared what they are most excited about for their respective teams. For Neely, it’s seeing the Bruins’ young players compete for roster spots during training camp.
“I’m excited about the competition in camp this year, to be honest with you. See some of the younger kids push for jobs. [James] Hagens got a taste a little bit last year. I know he’s been working really hard this offseason,” Neely said. “Got a new player in [JJ] Peterka. I’m excited to see what he brings to us. But just the competition in camp. These younger kids should be licking their chops and saying I want that spot right there.”
Last season, under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, the Bruins exceeded expectations, posting a 100-point season (45-27-10) and earning a playoff berth. Their postseason run was short-lived, however, as they fell to the Buffalo Sabres in six games in the first round.
Whether the Bruins ultimately name a captain or continue with a group of leaders will be one of the storylines to watch when training camp kicks off on Wednesday, September 16.
