Minnesota Wild name new team captain

The Minnesota Wild are starting a new era and it began this offseason by shipping out a ton of veterans and it continues as the team has named defenseman Jared Spurgeon.

Spurgeon General has a whole new meaning.

Introducing... 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙅𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙣

Congratulations Jared! 👏#mnwild pic.twitter.com/kcjO6a48Pv

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 3, 2021

The offensive-defenseman takes over for long-time captain Mikko Koivu who was not re-signed and moved on to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 31-year-old Spurgeon is signed for another seven years and has a no-trade clause so this selection makes sense and he's expected to lead their defense, and now lead their team.

Last season Spurgeon managed to chip in with 32 points in 62 games and his best season came in 2019 when the Edmonton native collected 43 points. 

Jared Spurgeon, named captain of MIN, is a top two-way defenceman who has been consistently elite for years. He's also one of the top goal scoring blueliners in the league. #MNWild pic.twitter.com/PljW41ej7x

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 3, 2021

The Wild are expected to struggle for a playoff this season and a lot will ride on how they manage to score goals. If Spurgeon has a monster year, that will certainly help. 

No pressure, Captain.

Photo credit: Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire