In a bit of season-opening housekeeping, the New York Islanders formally announced their alternate captains for 2016-17.
Offseason free agent signing Andrew Ladd receives an “A” as full-time alternate with Captain For Life John Tavares. Travis Hamonic and Cal Clutterbuck were also named alternates, and they will truly “alternate” to supply the second “A” with Ladd.
Hamonic was already an alternating alternate last season, but the departure of Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo made room for more.
While the other picks are no surprise, Clutterbuck is an interesting choice — if only because he consistently draws the ire of opponents and occasionally the suspicions of the officiating crew.