Yahoo Sports 
Vancouver Canucks owner hints at next captain in open letter to fans
A letter sent to Vancouver Canucks season ticket holders has fans speculating that the club is ready to name forward Bo Horvat as their captain in the near future.
Team owner Francesco Aquilini posted a statement after general manager Jim Benning was given a three-year contract extension, declaring his trust in the organization and its future.
In the open letter, Aquilini praises the talent of rookie Elias Pettersson, the development of Brock Boeser, and the leadership of the 24-year-old Horvat.
This just went out to our Season Ticket Members. We've started something special here, and I'm confident in Jim's ability to see it through. pic.twitter.com/v4I8w0GALk
— Francesco Aquilini (@fr_aquilini) August 20, 2019
The Canucks are one of seven NHL teams without a captain. After longtime leader Henrik Sedin retired at the end of the 2017-2018 season, the club went the following campaign without naming a successor.
The club appointed Bo Horvat, Alexander Edler, Brandon Sutter and Chris Tanev to serve as alternate captains last season. Horvat emerged as the leader of the pack and a key part of the Canucks young core, setting a career high of 61 points in 82 games.
[Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today]
Horvat has been with the club since he was drafted 9th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He’s entering year three of his 6-year, $33 million contract extension with the Canucks extending to the 2022-2023 season.
Canucks fans can feel pretty confident that Horvat’s “emergence as a confident leader” has earned him the honour of wearing the “C” for Vancouver.
More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports
