What was your initial reaction when you were told in October that you were going to be the 15th captain in New York Islanders history?
“I definitely got a little emotional. (Head coach Barry Trotz) announced it in pregame meetings before our first game, at the Carolina Hurricanes. I didn’t see it coming. Then he announced it, and I got a lot of hugs and cheers from the boys. You get that overwhelming feeling of how big of an honor it is and how special it is. It’s something I cherish, and I’m extremely proud of it.
“But it was a game day, so we had work to do.”
Who were people you looked up to growing up and considered to be leaders?
“Growing up, you always look to your parents. At a young age you also look to your coaches and teachers, people you can learn from — pretty much all of your elders. You’re a kid, seeing what they do and taking everything in.
