When talking about team captains in the National Hockey League, they all have several common traits. These players are leaders and make sacrifices on and off the ice, they can be counted on to make big plays when needed and they have a never-say-die attitude.
One player who embodies this for the New York Rangers is forward Ryan Callahan.
While Callahan may not be the captain now as that title currently belongs to Chris Drury, it is a title that he certainly deserves and has been acting upon with Drury's absence from the lineup due to injury. Since joining the NHL in the latter part of the 2007 season, Callahan has worn the Rangers' emblem on his heart and sleeves. He bleeds red, white and blue and shows that with his effort every game.
Callahan is a player that is willing to do anything to help his hockey team. He will go down and block shots, throw hits, play on the penalty kill, play without a stick, play in the last minute of a hockey game and so on and so forth.
Callahan also does everything he can to lead his team offensively. In just 48 games this season, Callahan has 39 points (20 goals and 19 assists), which makes you wonder how much better those numbers would be if he had not missed time with an injury.
When Drury either decides to retire or may be even relinquish his captaincy, Callahan will be waiting to wear that 'C' with honor, pride and heart for the Rangers.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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