By the Letters: The History and Impact of the Letter “A” in the NHL
In the storied history of the NHL, the letter “A” is everywhere. It’s been there since the league’s early years with the Toronto Arenas, and it still helps define the game’s elite today. From the stitching on a jersey to some of the greatest players to the engraving on a league-wide trophy, the letter "A" has its stamp on the entire game of hockey.
A: Alternate Captain: While the "C" usually gets the most attention, the letter “A” on a jersey signifies the “Alternate Captain”. Although they are often referred to as “Assistant Captains”, that term is not accurate and doesn't quite cover it. The well-respected “Alternate Captains” are the tactical anchors and the vital bridge between the coaches and the room, for example. For most NHL teams, the elite “Alternate Captains” command just as much respect as the “Captain”—Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton, Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh, Cale Makar in Colorado—proving that leadership on a hockey team is a shared responsibility.
Cool Fact: “Alternate Captain” of the Colorado Avalanche, Cale Makar, has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy (2022, 2025), Conn Smythe Trophy (2022), and the Stanley Cup (2022).
A: Sid Abel: If you’re looking for one of the greatest NHL players to match the letter “A”, Sid Abel is the definitive historical choice. Alphabetically, Sid Abel stands as the very first player listed among the "100 Greatest NHL Players" chosen to commemorate the league’s centennial. As the legendary center of the Detroit Red Wings’ “Production Line” alongside Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel helped redefine what it meant to be a premier NHL superstar.
Cool Fact: Sid Abel was a three-time Stanley Cup champion and the recipient of Hart Memorial Trophy (1949).
A: Art Ross Trophy: If you move past individual names, the letter “A” is tied to one of the hardest NHL trophies to win: the Art Ross Trophy. Every year, the Art Ross Trophy goes to the player who finishes the season with the most points. Named after Art Ross, it’s the ultimate reward for offensive dominance during a season. Winning the Art Ross Trophy helps put a player in a different category of greatness.
Cool Fact: Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy a record ten times; his run in the 1980s was legendary (seven straight wins from 1981-1987). “The Great One’s” 215-point season remains the peak of what a single player has achieved—in regard to points—during one season.
A: The Final Word
At the end of the day, the letter “A” isn't just a character on a jersey or a page. It represents leadership on the ice and a nod to elite players who helped build today’s NHL. Whether it is stitched onto an “Alternate Captain’s” jersey, or is an initial of one of the NHL’s greatest players, or is engraved on a prestigious league-wide trophy, the letter “A” is where greatness in the NHL begins.