The Captain’s Job

Looking at a few notable captains seems only right. There would be no long-lasting legacy in the club without Ed Westfall, who served as team captain from 1972-1977. While those may not have been winning years, they created the culture that allowed them to win in the years that followed. It was a big role to fill for the Islanders’ players, and a new franchise team in New York, also being up against the New York Rangers and the shadow that would be cast over Long Island from Midtown Manhattan. The competitive identity was created with Westfall and then passed to Clark Gillies, up until 1979, when Denis Potvin took over and held the title through the legacy-building years the fans fondly remember. From 1979-1987, Potvin led a franchise through four consecutive Stanley Cups. Brent Sutter was captain into the early 1990s, taking over for Potvin.

Throughout the post-dynasty years, the franchise saw several players play with a C on their jersey. Patrick Flatley, Bryan McCabe, Trevor Linden, Michael Peca, Alexei Yashin, Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, and Mark Sreit were part of that group. Each captain did his job and carried the team. But there would be a new generation of captains bringing the team through a more modern era.

Former Islander John Tavares was the first piece that would lead the team through a new and modern era, and then, when that didn’t wind up happening the way fans thought, Lee took over and held the title from 2018-2026. He had a role in forming and supporting a community away from the ice and in the ways he’d give back. Especially with his annual Kan Jam Tournament at Northwell Ice Center in East Meadow, he helped to carry the team into battles. He made space for the new guys and welcomed young players who just arrived in New York and on Long Island. With Lee as a captain, the team made it to four postseasons.

Horvat isn’t unfamiliar with a leadership role; he was an Alternate captain for two seasons, and now taking on the C has a new meaning. His leadership style is probably different than Lee’s. Which isn’t unusual; it will be interesting to see how Horvat leads and what is accomplished during this time.