NHL: The best captain in each team’s history (Updated 2023)

Best NHL captain from each franchise: Chicago Blackhawks – Pierre Pilote

One thing to love about hockey is going back to the glory days of its rich past. Back in the late 50s, it was hard being a Chicago Blackhawks fan and not hearing the name, Pierre Pilote. He was a defenseman that symbolized toughness whenever he hit the ice.

Pilote helped put the Blackhawks on the map during his 13 seasons with the franchise thanks to his stellar defense. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times in a row in the mid-60s as he was known to never miss a hockey game due to injury or anything really.

The true definition of toughness, Pilote did a great job as team captain even though it came an offseason later after the Blackhawks won it all in 1961. He took this golden opportunity for seven straight seasons which for many decades, was the longest tenure in franchise history.

If you’re having a conversation with fellow hockey fans and the topic comes up of who were the best defensemen to ever play the game, I guarantee you the old schoolers will mention Pilote. He ended his career with 890 games played, 80 goals, 418 assists, and 498 points. Talk about some incredible performances oh so many years ago!