ANAHEIM, Calif.— Defensemen Radko Gudas was named captain of the Ducks, the team announced Thursday.
Anaheim played without a captain last season, as the longtime wearer of the C, Ryan Getzlaf, retired in 2022 after 12 years as captain. Naming Gudas as captain is a major step for a rising team with young talent.
Gudas is in his second year with the Ducks and 13th in the NHL. Last season, he recorded 6-12=18 points in 66 games, led Ducks skaters in +/- and led all Ducks defenseman in goals.
“With a young group of players establishing themselves in the NHL, we felt it was necessary to have a veteran lead our team,” said Pat Verbeek, Ducks general manager, in a press release. “Radko exemplifies what it means to be a professional, how to carry yourself on and off the ice and in the community, and be a mentor to our young group that will become the next leaders of the team.”
Gudas entered the NHL in 2013 as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Ducks are his fifth NHL team. Overall, he’s collected 39-143=182 points.
“I am honored to be named captain of the Anaheim Ducks and lead our team into an exciting era,” said Gudas. “The trust put in me by Pat, our management, coaches and my teammates is something I take with pride. Leadership is a shared quality amongst our team, and I look forward to representing the Ducks on the ice and also outside of the rink in the community.”
Ducks training camp continues tomorrow and Saturday before their first preseason game next week.