There are many terms in hockey. As beginners, we should know the meaning of these, otherwise, we can’t understand the game. I’ll give you an example. What does A mean in hockey? It’s a letter on our jersey, right? Which position does A belong to? These questions come to mind if you are not a hockey person. So why don’t you spend 5-10 minutes reading this article and become a fan who understands everything?
What Does A Mean in Hockey
The ‘A’ on a hockey player’s jersey denotes that he is an alternate captain. Alternate captains are always identified by wearing an ‘A’ on the front of their jersey.
An alternate captain is the team’s second in command, behind the captain. He receives this title if the team doesn’t have enough players with letters to fill all four positions (captain, alternate captain, and two more alternates). The words “alternate captain” are not part of the title; it’s simply referred to as “alternate.”
The word “alternate” means that there is more than one. They’re usually assigned to assist the head coach in the locker room with any problems or conflicts that arise during a game. They will also step in if the official captain is missing from a game. Alternate captains are determined by each team and are usually voted on by the players.
What is the Importance of Alternate Captains?
Being an alternate captain means that you are a leader on the team and a leader at all times. You must be attentive and work hard to ensure your team performs at its best. There are many responsibilities for an alternate captain, such as:
- Organizing team activities and leading them
- Make sure everyone knows what they’re doing when they play
- Leading the team in practice
An alternate captain also makes sure that there is no bullying or fighting on the ice.
If you are selected as an alternate captain, it’s important to remember that it’s your job as a player to put in maximum effort every time you’re on the ice and in every game. You have to show your teammates what it means to be a good teammate by being respectful, encouraging, and helping them out when needed.
The alternate captain should also be able to motivate their teammates by reminding them how much effort they need to put into their game. Also, it is important for everyone to go out there with confidence in themselves. So they can succeed at their best level possible each day. This can help build a strong bond between players on the ice because they know each other well enough to feel comfortable going out.
How Many Alternate Captains on A Hockey Team?
You may have heard about the fact that some teams have alternate captains.
These captains are there if the regular captain cannot play in a game.
So how many alternate captains does a team have?
The answer is three! Each team gets three alternate captains, and the coach chooses them.
This is because it’s important to have someone in charge if something happens to the regular captain.
Can Goalies Be Alternate Captains?
- No, goalies can’t be alternate captains.
Why? Well, the rules are pretty straightforward. Since a goalie isn’t allowed to leave their zone and play in another zone, they’re not allowed to be captain of any team other than the one they’re currently playing for.
So if you see a goalie with an A or C on their chest, you can rest assured that it’s only for looks. They’re not really in charge of anything. And even if they were, they wouldn’t be allowed to go to the other team’s bench and run practices or yell at the coach.
Final Word
An alternate captain is an NHL player named to assist a captain. Typically the player with the second most tenure with the club, the alternate (or assistant) captain, will take on some of the ceremonial duties of the captain. Generally, there will be a different assistant for home games than for away games due to travel schedules and differences in duties as needed.
