Rasmus Andersson added to Calgary Flames leadership group

With Mikael Backlund being named captain, fans were waiting for official word on the rest of the formal leadership group (players who will wear “A”s for the Flames in 2023/24). With a maximum of three letters allowed to be worn in any game, the Calgary Flames have elected to go with the maximum number of alternate captains: four (a “C” and two “A”s on the road and “C” and two other “A”s at home). One tasty addition has been made to last year’s leadership group and he comes in the form of fan-favourite, Rasmus Andersson.

Last year’s group consisted of Backlund and Chris Tanev wearing permanent “A”s, while Elias Lindholm and Jonathan Huberdeau shared the duties of the fourth “A”. Joining them this season will be defenceman Andersson, a player who was a leading candidate among Flames fans to become the captain just a couple of weeks ago.

We’ll likely see a defenceman and a forward each wear “A”s at home and on the road before swapping partway through the season, so the two road alternates become the home alternates after 41 games or so.

I’m fired up to see Andersson with a letter on his jersey in half of the Flames’ games this season (barring any scooter-related incidents). Three weeks ago, I wrote the following about what would make Rasmus Andersson a great captain within the Calgary Flames organization:

Top captain attributes: Accountability, consistency, prideHe razzles, he dazzles, he’s the fan favourite for the captain’s role, and he wants it. Andersson has been a part of the organization since he was drafted, played in the AHL under Huska, and is almost always the first player to take accountability. He’s proud to wear the Flaming C and call Calgary home. Rasmus is great with the media, well spoken, has term left on his deal, and shows up to compete every single night.Earlier this week, Andersson was recognized as the Flames’ best defenceman from last season, winning the Clayton H. Riddell Award.

To quote Andersson himself, “I’m ready to embrace the chaos.”

Congrats to Rasmus, his family, and the Flames organization. His alternate captaincy is another sign of evolution within the club and opportunity being awarded from the new management and coaching staffs.