Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid becomes the youngest captain in NHL history

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:43 p.m. ET

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Pete Blackburn

The Edmonton Oilers have their new captain, and he's just 19 years old.

The Oilers named Connor McDavid as the 15th captain in team history on Wednesday, making history in the process. McDavid becomes the youngest team captain in the history of the NHL (19 years and 266 days), narrowly edging out Gabriel Landeskog, who was 19 years and 286 days when the Colorado Avalanche named him captain in 2012.

The Oilers went last season without a team captain. The last to serve in the role was defenseman Andrew Ference, who wore the "C" from 2013-2015.

McDavid is entering just his second season as a pro but seems to be an obvious choice to receive the honor for Edmonton, who selected him No. 1 overall in last year's draft. The Ontario native is widely considered to be the best young prospect the NHL has seen since Sidney Crosby and has already shown flashes of brilliance at the highest level. He is the face of Edmonton's future, and possibly the future of the NHL.

McDavid was also named captain of the 23-and-under North American team at the World Cup of Hockey last month. That team was coached by Todd McLellan, who also coaches the Oilers, so it's clear that McLellan believes in McDavid's leadership skills.

The Oilers also named Jordan Eberle, Milan Lucic and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins alternate captains.

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Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

National Hockey League