Wearing the 'C'

Over the past 50 years, 13 captains have led the Penguins by always sticking up for their team, working hard and leading by example.

By Brody Miller

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ab McDonald (1967-68)

The first captain in Penguins history may have needed the Penguins just as much as they needed him. Ab McDonald was coming off a few rough seasons. He had hurt his thigh and been demoted down to minor-league teams. But he wasn’t new to Pittsburgh. He was there for the final season of the AHL’s Pittsburgh Hornets in 1966-67 and led them to a Calder Cup title. Just over a month later, he was drafted by the Penguins and named captain. He only lasted one season with the Penguins, though. He was traded to St. Louis after the Penguins’ first season.

****

Earl Ingarfield (1968-1969)

Earl Ingarfield was another early Penguins captain added via the 1967 NHL expansion draft. He was selected 17th overall, 17 picks before McDonald. Ingarfield came over to Pittsburgh after a long stretch with the New York Rangers. Ingarfield’s tenure as captain actually was shorter than McDonald’s. He was named captain in the fall of 1968 and was traded to the California Seals on Jan. 30, 1969. He spent less than two full seasons in Pittsburgh, scoring 37 points in 1967-68 and 23 points the following season before being traded away.

****

No captain (1969-1973)

****

Ron Schock (1973-1977)

The story goes that Ron Schock was with the St. Louis Blues in 1969 and attended a minor league hockey dinner. He was asked where he would least like to be traded. His answer was Pittsburgh. Two days later, Schock was traded to the Penguins. He put in four seasons there before becoming captain in 1973. In 1975, he had his career year and helped the Penguins advance to the Stanley Cup quarterfinals against the New York Islanders.

 

****

 

****

****

 

****

 

****

****

****

 

****

 

****

 

****

 

Web Design Zack Tanner

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stanley Cup Champions

The Cup comes to Pittsburgh

Winning one more for Badger Bob

Stanley Cup returns to Pittsburgh

Older and wiser and champs again

The beginnings

Birth of a franchise

Remembering the Igloo

The original black and gold

The Players

Mirror image

Top ten Penguins

Wearing the 'C'

More Penguins

Top ten Penguins' games

Langeisms

Trusting the market

Better sweaters