Should Goalies be allowed to wear the "C" or "A"

[BEEZERAL]

While I understand the rule from the NHL's perspective, it makes no sense to not allow the goalie to be the captain or assistant captain for their team. This is CLUB roller hockey. 90% of the teams in the country are run by students and some of them happen to be goalies. It makes absolutely no sense that a goalie is prohibited from being the legitamite captain of his team.

I know in the SECRHL alone Guy Antonacci for UT does almost everything off the rink for his team and I believe he started the team 5 years ago. While he wears an "A" he has no authority to speak with ref's or anything and is forced to cover the "A" on his jersey from time to time by a ref who feels like being difficult that game.

The situation is the same with myself. I make all the travel arrangements, do all the communicating with he school and league, and am identified by my teamates as a captain of my team.

While I do not know the specifics of NCST's team. I do know that their goalie wears an "A".

I am sure there are many more teams around the country where the goalie is the leader of his team but because of this rule are unrecognized on the rink. What makes a goalie unable to be the teams captain??? Nothing. While I understand it would waste time if everytime there was an issue the goalie would have to skate to center ice to meet with the refs which wastes time, but that is why most teams have up to 3 captains.

My point is this. If a player does the work and is the leader of his team,especially in a league where the teams are run by the players, he deserves to be the recognized captain regardless of the position he plays.

Thoughts?

[CraigBrodz]

Wearing a "C" or an "A" for a goalie should not be the end of the world. A goalie can still be a Captain and a leader on a team without wearing the "C" or "A". The Captain and Assistant Captain are supposed to be able to relay information from the referee to the Coach or team when needed. That is why a goalie does not wear the C or the A. As a goalie that would be the last thing I want to be involved in when playing a game. When I played for Stony Brook I did not wear the letters however was considered a Captain by my teammates. I have also come across many teams that the goalie is the vocal and emotional leader of a team however does not wear a "C" or an "A" These are just letters and does not mean a goalie can not be the leader of his team. I believe making travel arrangements and organization of team functions are totally different then leading a team on the rink, that is why we have presidents, vice presidents, and treasures of the club, plus nice resume builder when you hold one of those positions within the club.

Craig Brodmerkel
Long Island 495ers #31
Stony Brook Sea Wolves 2007 DII National Champs.
Brockport Roller Derby 2002-2005

[wednthavddr]

I am pretty positive Jeff Kotcher handles everything for Tampa. Not that it really matters. Brett Kotcher was also the one who started the club.

Doesn't Luongo wear the C?

[BEEZERAL]

I am pretty positive Jeff Kotcher handles everything for Tampa. Not that it really matters. Brett Kotcher was also the one who started the club.

Doesn't Luongo wear the C?

My mistake, I always thought Guy ran the team. And Luongo does not wear the C. He is not allowed because of NHL rules, but he is the captain of the canucks.

While wearing the "C" is not everything, nobody can deny that having the opportunity to have the C on your jersey is a source of great pride. Every hockey player dreams of being the captain of his team when he is young. And like I said in the original post. What is the harm with allowing teams the opportunity to make their goalie an official captain. If he deserves it, he deserves it. What is the point of denying someone the honor of visibly leading his team on the rink?

[GoRangrHky]

Just do what Luongo does and put the C on your mask.

[BEEZERAL]

Just do what Luongo does and put the C on your mask.

I went ahead and put it on my jersey. Its just frustrating as hell when a ref on a power trip threatens me with a penalty if I dont cover up my A. Its a rule that makes no sense especially in the college game. Why not change it?

[CraigBrodz]

What is the harm with allowing teams the opportunity to make their goalie an official captain. If he deserves it, he deserves it. What is the point of denying someone the honor of visibly leading his team on the rink?[/QUOTE]

My personal feeling on that is the rule is the rule. And the truth of the matter is, there is probably no harm in having a goalie as the "official captain." However, If a goalies wants so badly to be seen as the captain of their team, whether or not they are deserving, they are making it about themselves and not the team. A true leader is not about C'S or A's they are about their team, selfish qualities need not apply when it comes to the captaincy on a team. A true leader doesn't care what outsiders see or think. They only care about their teammates, and the common goal of winning games. A true leader looks past that BS, and brings their teammates together regardless of having a letter on their chest or not.


Craig Brodmerkel
Long Island 495ers #31
Stony Brook Sea Wolves 2007 DII National Champs.
Brockport Roller Derby 2002-2005

[GoRangrHky]

Seriously. Didn't anyone watch D3? It's not about the letter, Charlie Conway.

[CraigBrodz]

A.J. Your big on the movie quotes lately.

[Patn Lawton]

Shut up Craig.

[DannyG]

...it makes no sense to not allow the goalie to be the captain or assistant captain for their team.

There is not any reason in today's game why a goaltender cannot function as the playing captain of the team.

The rule book should be changed to reflect this.

[chickentender65]

im the same way... i took the reigns as president from stevie regan and i do most of the work off rink. but the problem is i dont give my team advise during the game besides "step up", "take the body", "u suck" and "MOVE OUT OF MY EFFING WAY". so if u define being the team captain as being the one who does all the paperwork and setting everything up, i wouldnt be against wearing a "C". but if u want someone that is on the bench talking to half the players, and talking to the other half when they switch between shifts, then that's who should wear the "C"

[BEEZERAL]

im the same way... i took the reigns as president from stevie regan and i do most of the work off rink. but the problem is i dont give my team advise during the game besides "step up", "take the body", "u suck" and "MOVE OUT OF MY EFFING WAY". so if u define being the team captain as being the one who does all the paperwork and setting everything up, i wouldnt be against wearing a "C". but if u want someone that is on the bench talking to half the players, and talking to the other half when they switch between shifts, then that's who should wear the "C"

I agree, thats how it is with us, and thats why I wear the "A".

The captain is the teams leader on and off the rink. But I think doing all the paperwork stuff accounts for something because of the nature of this league.

[GoRangrHky]

I did paperwork out the wazoo for my team for probably 6 years (although I moved 4 states away and it never really stopped.) I had two jerseys- when I played D, I had an A on mine. When I played goal, I didn't (besides the fact that they were two completely different sizes). Goalies are EXPECTED to be leaders on their team, from the NHL down to Timbits hockey. But the rule is there for a reason- the power that it grants was being abused, and while you say it might not be, who's to say that it won't be. Blame Bill Durnan and the Habs if you want. But honestly, complaining that as a goalie you can't wear an A on your jersey screams "LOOK AT ME". And in what is supposed to be the ultimate in team sports, I really don't see a place for it.

[quick_dry]

IMO the rule is a practical consideration as - unless your rules are different to most - a goalie can't skate over the halfway line.

Any player in the team can be a team leader regardless of letter on the jersey, a C or an A just gets to talk to the ref (and most refs will be happy to talk to any player provided they're not being painful). Ability to effectively develop rapport with on-ice officials is a key criteria I use in picking my captains/alternates.

Practical considerations aside I'd say it is a holdover from ice hockey that was decided upon for some reason lost in the mists of time.
Why not let goalies go past the half-way mark?
Why can't you be a captain and nominated coach?
etc