I always thought that I played better when I was the captain. If you look at my record during the six years I was captain - except for a couple of series - I did very well.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Throughout my entire life, I've always been a captain. I was the captain of my high school team. I was the captain at Oklahoma State University. I was the captain of the 2008 Olympic team.
Well, my transition into being a captain was easy.
I am a great believer that a captain is as good as his team.
I was captain of Wales; I've been captain of numerous football clubs.
But I just think as a captain, everybody's different.
Anyway, I've never been captain in 16 years in the NHL. But that didn't stop me being a leader in my own way.
Being the vice-captain, you see a lot of things on the field. You have to try and help the captain as much as you can and lead by example on the field. Small things like getting a run-out or taking a catch makes the other boys try and lift their standards. So yes, I do have an important role, even if I'm not captain.
I haven't yet figured out how I was made first captain, because I was not an outstanding student. I was an adequate student.
The captain thing was really an honor, and it was really flattering for me. It was really something that I didn't expect, and I would say that was the highlight of my career so far, being elected captain by my peers.
I've always maintained - a captain is only as good as his team. It is not about my leadership, it is not about me.