Radko Gudas has been appointed as the new captain of the Anaheim Ducks, succeeding Ryan Getzlaf who retired two seasons ago. The Ducks announced this decision on the first day of training camp. Gudas, a Czech defenseman, joined the team as a free agent last season, showcasing his leadership skills with six goals, 12 assists, and 128 penalty minutes.

This appointment makes Gudas the ninth captain in Ducks history and the first European captain since Teemu Selanne. The Ducks had been without a captain for the past two seasons, opting for alternate captains during that time, including veteran defenseman Cam Fowler. Gudas, at 34 years old, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to a young Ducks team that has missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

General manager Pat Verbeek and head coach Greg Cronin believe Gudas exemplifies the qualities of a captain and will provide mentorship to the young players on the team. Gudas, who has played for five NHL teams including Anaheim, recently won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the world championships.

Despite facing challenges last season, including a franchise-record 50 regulation losses, the Ducks aim to improve under Gudas’ leadership. His appointment as captain solidifies a more traditional leadership structure for the team. Gudas becomes the sixth player from the Czech Republic to be named an NHL captain, joining a prestigious list of fellow countrymen who have held similar roles in the league.

As the Ducks prepare for the upcoming season, they will open against San Jose on October 12 and have their home opener against Utah on October 16. Gudas’ captaincy brings optimism to the team and fans as they look to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming NHL season.