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Summary for: David Pastrňák named Boston Bruins captain: Sixth Czech in NHL historyCzech hockey star David Pastrňák has been named captain of the Boston Bruins, taking on the role as he begins his 13th NHL season with the club.
The 30-year-old forward from Havířov becomes the 28th captain in the history of the Original Six franchise and only the sixth Czech player to hold the position permanently in the NHL.
“I’m obviously incredibly grateful, humbled and honored to be captain,” Pastrňák said. “I fully understand all the responsibility that comes with it.”
“My main goal is to do everything I can for the team and the Bruins. I’m grateful for the trust and belief the club has placed in me—not only today, but throughout my career.”
Bruins went without captain last season
Pastrňák succeeds Brad Marchand, who left Boston for the Florida Panthers last year. The Bruins played the previous season without a permanent captain, with Pastrňák serving as one of three alternates.
The Czech forward said the new title would not fundamentally change how the team operates.
“We have always worked as a group of leaders,” he said. “That won’t change just because I’m captain. We’ll continue to work as a team.”
Pastrňák joins an illustrious list of recent Bruins captains that includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chára, Joe Thornton and Ray Bourque.
He is also the first Czech to captain Boston. The other Czech players permanently given the “C” in the NHL were Jaromír Jágr, Patrik Eliáš, Robert Holík, Milan Hejduk and Radko Gudas.
Already among Boston’s greatest players
Boston selected Pastrňák in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft. He has since recorded 420 goals and 513 assists in 833 regular-season appearances for the club.
His 933 points place him sixth on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list, while his 420 goals rank fifth in franchise history.
Pastrňák shared the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goalscorer with Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin in 2020. He has also been selected for the NHL All-Star Game four times.
Internationally, Pastrňák helped Czechia win the 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship on home ice in Prague.
He is currently playing under an eight-year, USD 90 million contract that runs through 2031.
The Bruins begin their new NHL season Tuesday against the New York Rangers, when Pastrňák is expected to wear the captain’s “C” for the first time in a competitive game.
