Kraken Set Their Leadership Group, Tab Jordan Eberle as Captain With Four Alternates
It’s just about hockey season. And that means announcing captains and alternates. The Seattle Kraken are heading into the 2026-27 season with a familiar face leading the way and two defensemen officially taking on larger leadership roles with a few returning faces.
The Kraken announced Wednesday that Jordan Eberle will serve as team captain for a third consecutive season, while defensemen Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour have been named alternate captains. They join returning alternate captains Matty Beniers and Adam Larsson to form Seattle's leadership group.
Eberle's continued presence at the top of the group provides the Kraken with a steady veteran voice as the franchise enters another important season. The 36-year-old has worn the captain's “C” since the 2024-25 season and has become one of the team's most recognizable leaders both on and off the ice. He led the squad in goals last season with 26.
But perhaps the most interesting part of this year's announcement is the decision to give Dunn and Montour the “A.” Neither selection comes as a major surprise when looking at how both defensemen have grown into leadership roles in Seattle.
Leadership, Forged In The Deep.
Ebs. Monty. Matty. Lars. Dunner. pic.twitter.com/3XfOZYKHxB— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 16, 2026
Dunn, 29, is entering his sixth season with the Kraken and remains one of the franchise's original Expansion Draft selections. His leadership development has coincided with his evolution into one of Seattle's most important two-way defensemen. Dunn has consistently been willing to step forward when the team needs a voice, including during moments that have required players to reflect and hold themselves accountable.
The former Blues second round pick has become something of a franchise staple. He ranks fifth in franchise history in games played and leads the franchise with 174 career assists. Only captain Eberle and Jared McCann have more career points as a Kraken than the Ontario native.
Montour brings a different but equally valuable type of leadership. A veteran defenseman with a Stanley Cup championship on his résumé, Montour has established himself as a physical, competitive and offensively capable presence on Seattle's blue line in his first year. Even with something of a down year last season, Montour has the veteran credibility needed for a leadership role.
Jaden Schwartz departed for the Colorado Avalanche this summer, while the Kraken have not replaced the alternate captaincy previously held by Yanni Gourde following his March 2025 trade to Tampa Bay. Montour and Dunn now step in and step up.
Larsson is the current franchise leader in games played by a large margin. He remains one of the most familiar faces for the Kraken. He turned in seven goals for the second consecutive season.
Beniers remains the face of the young corps of Kraken skaters. Even with a mildly disappointing campaign in 2025-26, the Michigan product is arguably the most important player on Seattle’s roster this year.
Now, with Eberle, Beniers, Larsson, Dunn and Montour leading the way, Seattle heads into training camp with a group that combines experience, championship pedigree, accountability and a deep understanding of what it takes to compete in the NHL. Training camp opens Thursday with the first preseason game at Climate Pledge Arena this Saturday.
