A local boy’s rise through the organization made him a natural as the new alternate captain.
Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill announced today that Abdelkader will don the “A” last worn by Pavel Datsyuk, joining the lettered leadership group of captain Henrik Zetterberg and alternate Niklas Kronwall.
“It’s a huge honor,” Abdelkader said after a morning skate at Joe Louis Arena. “It’s crazy kind of thinking back, talking with Blash this morning – my first few days here in Detroit, and now being here eight years with the organization, getting this honor, it’s a huge honor.