Landeskog Replaces Hejduk As Avalanche Captain

DENVER (AP) - Gabriel Landeskog is replacing Milan Hejduk as the captain of the Colorado Avalanche.

The team said Tuesday that the 19-year-old Swedish left wing is the youngest player ever chosen to lead an NHL team. He is 11 days younger than Sidney Crosby was when he was named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007.

Landeskog was picked by Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco after Hejduk gave up the role. Hejduk and Paul Stastny will serve as assistant captains this season.

Landeskog, a former Ontario Hockey League forward, won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie this year after racking up 22 goals and 30 assists in his first season with the Avalanche.

His father was a defenseman in the Swedish Elite League.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)