Ducks Name Mikael Granlund 10th Captain in Team History

Mikael Granlund is the new captain of the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks announced Tuesday that the 34-year-old Finnish forward is the 10th captain in franchise history. He replaces defenseman Radko Gudas, who was traded to Florida over the summer after two seasons wearing the C.

Anaheim also named four alternate captains: Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Troy Terry and Alex Killorn.

Granlund takes the job heading into just his second season with the club. He signed with Anaheim as a free agent in 2025 on a three-year deal and put up 19 goals and 22 assists last season, then scored five goals in the playoffs, tied for the team lead, as the Ducks ended a seven-season postseason drought and reached the second round under Joel Quenneville.

"Mikael has been a strong leader in our locker room and with his national team over the years, and he is a natural fit with where we are as a hockey club," general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "He personifies the professionalism, humility, mentorship and quiet intensity that will lead the various personalities of our group."

The leadership resume is real. Granlund captained Finland at the 2026 Olympics in Milan Cortina, where the Finns won bronze, and at two world championships.

"This is an incredible honour to be the captain of the Anaheim Ducks and join the many other great captains in the organization's history," Granlund said. "We have many quality leaders already on this team."

Granlund debuted with Minnesota in January 2013 and has also played for Nashville, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Dallas across 14 NHL seasons, topping 50 points six times.

Ryan Getzlaf held the captaincy for 12 seasons before retiring in 2022. Anaheim went without a captain for two years after that before Verbeek selected Gudas in 2024. Earlier Ducks captains include Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne, Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.

Anaheim opens the regular season Oct. 2 at Vegas. The home opener follows Oct. 4 against Florida.