Justin Faulk named Carolina Hurricanes alternate captain

Chris Baird - TSN via Baird Photography
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk was selected as one of the team’s alternate captains, as announced by the team on Wednesday.

Head coach Bill Peters made the decision for Faulk to join Hurricanes captain Eric Staal and alternate captain Jordan Staal as the team’s players with letters on their jerseys designating their leadership positions on the team.

“Justin has emerged as an All-Star player in this league and a leader in our dressing room,” Peters said.

“His leadership is on display every day in his commitment to his teammates, and carries through to his dedication to the organization and our community.”

At 23 years old, Faulk is entering his fifth NHL season with the Hurricanes, and is following up a 2014-15 season during which he established career highs and led all Hurricanes defensemen in goals (15), assists (34), points (49), games played (82) and average time on ice (24:25).

His 49 points were the most in a single season by a Hurricanes defenseman since the team’s relocation in 1997.

Selected to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, Faulk ended last season ranked in the top 20 among NHL blueliners in points (12th, 49), goals (t-6th, 15), game-winning goals (t-3rd, 4), power-play goals (t-3rd, 7) power-play points (t-12th, 20), shorthanded goals (t-1st, 2), shorthanded points (t-6th, 2) and shots (4th, 238).

Originally drafted by Carolina in the second round (37th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Faulk has scored 33 goals and earned 85 assists (118 points) in 262 career regular-season games with the Hurricanes.

He was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team following his inaugural NHL season in 2011-12.

Prior to turning professional, he was a member of the University of Minnesota-Duluth team that won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I championship in 2011.

Faulk has represented the United States in several international tournaments, including the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World U-18 Championship, the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, the 2012, 2013 and 2015 IIHF World Championships, and the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.