Defenseman Radko Gudas was named the ninth captain in Ducks franchise history Thursday, becoming the first player to sport the “C” on his jersey since Ryan Getzlaf’s retirement in 2022.
Gudas, 34, signed as a free agent with the Ducks before last season after going on a run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Florida Panthers. He had previously played for the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
He arrived to Tampa Bay as a fourth-round pick in 2010, the same year Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek joined the Lightning as its director of pro scouting. Gudas won a Calder Cup in the Bolts’ organization under Jon Cooper.
This past spring, Gudas captured gold at the World Championships with Czechia, aiding the cause of goaltender Lukáš Dostál, as he will throughout the upcoming campaign with the Ducks.
Gudas will shepherd a group that, for the most part, is considerably younger. Among the multitude of lottery picks and other touted up-and-comers are Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson, both of whom have shown leadership qualities but neither of whom is old enough to rent a car.
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“After taking time to assess our group over the last few seasons, Radko emerged as a natural leader who encompasses all of the qualities of a captain and the respect of his teammates, our staff and his peers,” Verbeek said in a statement. “With a young group of players establishing themselves in the NHL, we felt it was necessary to have a veteran lead our team. Radko exemplifies what it means to be a professional, how to carry yourself on and off the ice and in the community, and be a mentor to our young group that will become the next leaders of the team.”
More to come on this story.