Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Columbus Blue Jackets named forward Nick Foligno the sixth captain in franchise history on Wednesday.
Foligno is the first team captain since Rick Nash was traded to the Rangers prior to the 2012-13 season.
"It's about getting the right guy," Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards said. "The players have to believe in him. The organization obviously does. There's a lot of factors that go into that decision and you don't want to make the wrong one because then it's going to lead to a lot more problems."
The 27-year-old, who was signed to a six-year contract extension in December, is coming off the most productive season of his career. He recorded a career- high 31 goals and 42 assists over 79 games.
Foligno, whose father Mike served as the captain of the Buffalo Sabres from 1989-91, joins Lyle Odelein, Ray Whitney, Luke Richardson, Adam Foote and Nash as the franchise's appointed leaders.
Foligno was selected by Ottawa in the first round (28th overall) of the 2006 draft. The Blue Jackets acquired him from the Senators for defenseman Marc Methot on July 1, 2012.
The Buffalo native has compiled 116 goals and 163 assists in 545 games spanning eight seasons.
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