Hawks reward Toews, Seabrook with 'A's'

Jonathan Toews forced the hand of Denis Savard, leaving the Blackhawks coach no choice Monday but to make a decision he had expected to put off for a while longer.

The Hawks' boss named the 19-year-old Toews as one of the team's "alternate captains" for the month of December.

"He's earned it. I had to give it to him," Savard said after practice.

The Blackhawks also gave the alternate captain honor for the month to 22-year-old defenseman Brent Seabrook. Toews and Seabrook will share the duties with 34-year-old veteran right winger Martin Lapointe, who has been a Hawks captain in the past.

At Savard's suggestion, the Blackhawks have not elected a team captain for this season, choosing instead to move forward by selecting individuals worthy of the honor on a monthly basis.

While many believe the Hawks are keeping the captain's spot open for Toews to take over next season, Savard was not expecting the 6-foot -2 rookie center to win the monthly alternate honor this season.

To date, Toews has 10 goals and 10 assists (20 points) in 24 games.

Daily Herald Sports Writer Tim Sassone contributed to this report.