Grand moments
September 30th, 1999
KOIVU BEGINS HIS REIGN
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On September 30, 1999, with the position left vacant after Vincent Damphousse’s departure in March, Canadiens players were called upon to vote for the team’s next captain.
In line with the sudden trend of European players exploding onto the NHL scene, Saku Koivu edged out Shayne Corson and Turner Stevenson to become the 27th captain in franchise history.
At just 24 years old, the Finnish center became the youngest player to ever wear the “C” in Montreal. Koivu’s appointment also made him just the fourth European to captain an NHL team, following in the footsteps of Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh), Mats Sundin (Toronto) and Alexei Yashin (Ottawa).
Still leading the Habs during the 2008-09 season, Koivu trails only Jean Beliveau as the longest reigning captain in Canadiens history.
In line with the sudden trend of European players exploding onto the NHL scene, Saku Koivu edged out Shayne Corson and Turner Stevenson to become the 27th captain in franchise history.
At just 24 years old, the Finnish center became the youngest player to ever wear the “C” in Montreal. Koivu’s appointment also made him just the fourth European to captain an NHL team, following in the footsteps of Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh), Mats Sundin (Toronto) and Alexei Yashin (Ottawa).
Still leading the Habs during the 2008-09 season, Koivu trails only Jean Beliveau as the longest reigning captain in Canadiens history.