Roberto Luongo

It took four decades, but the National Hockey League has another goalie who has been named the captain of his team.

Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that Roberto Luongo, the team's superstar goalie would be the club's captain.

With the free agent departure of captain Markus Naslund to the Rangers there had been a lot of speculation about who would wear the "C". Well, according to NHL rules goalies cannot wear the "C", even if they are captain. To meet NHL standards and still make Luongo captain a convoluted process had to be created.

Luongo is the captain, but Willie Mitchell is the player designated to talk to on-ice officials, and for ceremonial face-offs, once again Luongo will not be lumbering to center ice to take the draw, that honor instead will go to Mattias Ohlund, the longest serving Canuck.

Luongo is the seventh goalie in NHL history to captain his club, the last was Canadiens Bill Durnan during the 1947-48 season.

Why Luongo?

There are many reasons. The two most likely are:

-- Luongo is the most popular and best hockey player on the team.

-- With two years left on his contract, the club is hoping this will help them re-sign their only legitimate superstar.

Whatever the reason, I think Roberto Luongo is a great choice for team captain of the Vancouver Canucks.