October 6, 2011
Bruins vs. Flyers: Andrew Ference and Chris Kelly Will Share Second Alternate Captain Role
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference and forward Chris Kelly will share the vacant alternate captain role for the team this season, according to Bruins head coach Claude Julien.
Ference will wear the “A” on his sweater for the home games, Kelly the away games, then halfway through the season they will switch.
“We feel that we have a lot of leaders in our dressing room,” said Julien. ”…Our leadership group remains bigger than the letters.”
“[Ference and Kelly] have that personality that shows leadership in the right way on and off the ice and they’re highly respected in their dressing room…”
Julien mentioned that if injuries play a part in the season, they have someone who can wear the “A” for both the homes and away games. He also noted they wanted stability in the role, and thus they won’t share the “A” throughout the season.
When veteran winger Mark Recchi retired after the Stanley Cup Finals htis past June, the Bruins had an opening for the second “A”.
Patrice Bergeron is the other alternate captain, and defenseman Zdeno Chara is the captain.
The Bruins open the 2011-12 NHL season at home Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
All quotes obtained first hand.
For updates on all Bruins news throughout the season, follow Nick Goss on Twitter. Follow @NicholasGoss35
Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization’s on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.
Related posts:
- Boston Bruins 2011-12: 5 Players Who Could Be the Next Alternate Captain
- Bruins vs. Flyers: Claude Julien Has Not Named a Second Alternate Captain
- Bruins Andrew Ference Suspended, Length Unconfirmed: Why This Was the Right Call
- Boston Bruins: Andrew Ference Suspended 3 Games for Hit on Ryan McDonagh
- Boston Bruins Video: Watch Andrew Ference Explain Player of the Game Chain
