The San Jose Sharks have named Rob Blake as their captain for the coming season. Joining Blake in official leadership roles are alternate captains Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle.

Blake, who joined the Sharks last year, and is a past Stanley Cup winner with Colorado, was twice captain for the Los Angeles Kings.

The accomplished blueliner has been selected to three Canadian Olympic teams, once pocketing a gold medal. Blake has also taken home the NHL’s Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.

Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan made the choice and conferred with Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson.

“We have named Rob Blake captain and Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton A’s,” said McLellan.

The captaincy in hockey is an honor that ranks higher than in most sports, but McLellan says it will be a team effort. Still, the letter draws media attention and like a quarterback in football, the attention comes his way in good times and in bad.

“Yes, he is expected to be looked toward, but you have to look to your secondary leaders and all players,” said McLellan. “If you don’t get all the players leading (in their roles), you don’t have leadership.”

McLellan informed the club this morning of the pick.

“They 100 percent accepted the responsibility,” said McLellan of Blake, Boyle and Thornton. “We wanted to see who would step up (in training camp).”

This marks the third time Blake has been worn the “C” on his jersey.

“He has experience captaining a team and will give us everything he has,” said McLellan. “He will hold his teammates to the highest standard.”

Blake felt grateful about being tabbed.

“It is a tremendous honor,” said Blake. “It will take the whole group. With the players we have here, the job will be easier.”

As for what the job requirements require, the letter on his jersey will not change Blake’s outlook.

“Sometimes you’ll talk to someone and sometimes you help settle someone down,” said Blake.

Boyle will be wearing a letter in San Jose for the first time, while Thornton wore an “A” last year.

“It’s an honor,” said Boyle. “It will be a family atmosphere.”

Boyle was happy the decision was made prior to opening night.

“Now it’s out of the way and our focus can be on winning,” said Boyle.

Former captain Patrick Marleau was singled out by McLellan as someone who will still play a major leadership role.

“I think if we learned anything from the previous year, it’s that a lot of guys have to step up and make sure everyone is pulling together,” said Marleau.

Center Joe Pavelski has captained clubs at every level of his development and agrees that it will take everyone and it can’t all fall to just Blake.

“They are really good leaders, but when it comes down to it, it’s important for everyone to give more,” said Pavelski. “When I was a leader on different teams, we were at our best when everyone was contributing. You can’t describe how helpful it is when everyone is contributing. That is when you win.”

NEXT GAME
The Sharks will open the season in Colorado on Thursday at 7 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on Versus.  98.5 KFOX will also be carrying the contest, as will sjsharks.com.