Big first step for Toews

When it comes to the present and future of the Blackhawks, Monday should be remembered as a significant day.

Jonathan Toews, the 19-year-old rookie center, was named an alternate captain by coach Denis Savard, sending a clear signal that perhaps as soon as next season Toews will be the team captain.

Savard names two new alternate captains every month and said earlier in the season that it was unlikely he would burden either Toews or fellow rookie Patrick Kane by putting them in such leadership roles so soon.

Toews forced Savard to change his mind.

"He earned it," Savard said. "It's tough not to give it to him, it's as simple as that. He's what a coach dreams about.

"It's the way he is, the way he plays and the way he works and practices. He's a leader, that's what he's all about, and I felt I had to give it to him. There's no other way."

Toews called it an honor to wear a letter on the front of his jersey.

"There's been a lot of talk that maybe I could be part of that leadership group down the road, that I have maybe some of those qualities, and to get compliments like that is a huge honor considering the experience we have in this locker room," he said.

"It gives me a lot of confidence that maybe the guys already do look at me that way, but I think most of all I'm not going to change too much, just keep playing the way I have been and doing the same things and try to make plays that make a difference. I'm going to try not to disappoint and go out and do my job."

Toews doesn't come off as a 19-year-old kid. He is poised and already has a presence off the ice in the dressing room that defies his years.

"Obviously, Jonathan has proven that he's a leader," said teammate Martin Lapointe, who is the unofficial Hawks captain even though he wears no letter. "His work ethic on and off the ice, he's shown that he likes to have that responsibility on his shoulders."

Lapointe doesn't see Toews' age as being a negative in him being considered a team leader. Lapointe saw it work firsthand in Detroit when his former teammate Steve Yzerman was named Red Wings captain at age 21.

Sidney Crosby was named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins last summer before he turned 20 in August.

"Either you have it or you don't, and I think Jonathan has all the tools, all the assets to be a great leader in this league," Lapointe said. "I think Jonathan's more of a quiet leader.

"With his work ethic on and off the ice, I think guys look at him and see how hard he works and how he takes that out on the ice. He's a great role model for the other young guys on the team.

"There's no such thing as being too young. I think he's ready for it. He's going to be the captain here, I've said it from the start of training camp. I wouldn't be surprised if next season he's wearing the 'C.' "

Toews will share the alternate captain duties throughout December with defenseman Brent Seabrook.

"All summer, if there was one guy I was thinking of giving a letter to for the whole year it was probably him," Savard said of the 22-year-old Seabrook. "He struggled early in the year, but since game five or so he has really played well and become a leader for us."

Seabrook, coincidentally, lives with Toews and perhaps more than anyone sees the special qualities in his roommate.

"I don't think this surprises anybody," Seabrook said. "He works so hard and is a very special athlete."