Sharks name Couture 10th captain in franchise history

The San Jose Sharks have named forward Logan Couture as their captain for the upcoming season, the team announced Thursday.

Couture succeeds Joe Pavelski - who signed with the Dallas Stars this offseason - to become the 10th captain in franchise history.

"Logan has grown up within that environment and evolved into someone who not only plays his best hockey when it matters the most, but who also leads by example off the ice," head coach Peter DeBoer said. "He knows what it takes to win and his performance in our recent playoff runs reflects that. Most importantly, Logan has the respect of his teammates and we're extremely proud to name him as the 10th captain of the San Jose Sharks."

The club also announced the rest of its leadership group, as Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, Joe Thornton, and Tomas Hertl will serve as alternate captains.

Couture is entering his 11th season with the Sharks, which makes him the third-longest-tenured player on the club after Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The 30-year-old recorded 27 goals to go along with a career-high 70 points last season. He was then sensational in the playoffs, leading all players with 14 goals and finishing third with 20 points in 20 contests.

Couture ranks sixth in Sharks franchise history in games played (663), fourth in goals (240), fourth in points (507), and third in game-winning goals (43).