Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler Is The Perfect Candidate For Captain

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The Anaheim Ducks have a succession of on-ice leaders they should be monumentally proud of. Having a leader you can depend on is one of the building blocks every team needs in order to be successful.

You can read more about the top five captains in Anaheim Ducks franchise history in an article written by my co-contributor Greg Johnson.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C Maxwell

Currently captaining the Anaheim Ducks is Ryan Getzlaf. It was announced at the beginning of the 2010-11 season that the 25-year-old center had been named their new captain.

Although he was young, his previous six seasons in the NHL were proof that he was ready to adorn his sweater with the “C”. Randy Carlyle, along with his veteran teammates, knew Getzlaf was the right man to take on the responsibility.

“He is very mature for his age. Sometimes you have to put a player in a position like that and give him another challenge. I have no doubt that he’s going to do a great job as captain. He’s going to be there for a long time and I think it was the right choice.” -Saku Koivu

Ryan Getzlaf’s tenure as Ducks captain has lasted longer than anyone else. At the end of the 2017-18 season, he completed his eighth year as Anaheim’s on-ice mediator.

However, Ryan Getzlaf is no longer the 25-year-old spring chicken (or Duck) that he used to be. I believe Getzlaf still has a few years of quality play left in him. However, before we know it, the big “R” word is going to be tossed around quicker than salmon down at Pike Place Market.

Who is the Future of Anaheim?

Who, then, is the future of the Anaheim Ducks?

Cam Fowler is the clear and evident choice.

Ryan Getzlaf still has three years left on his eight-year, $66M contract. However, it’s never too early for the Ducks to start grooming their next captain. Especially when he will have Getzlaf to serve as his mentor.

Rumors are swirling around Ducks Nation that Ryan Kesler will miss the 2018-19 season, there’s maybe an opening for another alternate captain. This would be the perfect opportunity for the Ducks to start putting more responsibility on Fowler. It would also serve as the ideal stepping stone needed to, one day, transition him into the position of captain.

However, one question still remains unanswered. What makes Cam Fowler the ideal candidate to become the Ducks next captain? Let’s take a look the characteristics Cam Fowler possess that make him the perfect man for the job.

ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 7: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his short-handed goal with his teammates in the third period of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Loyalty

Last summer Cam Fowler agreed to an eight-year, $52M contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks. Fowler’s contract also contains a modified no-trade clause. By the time this contract expires, Fowler will be 34 years old. Essentially, it means that he has made a career-long commitment to play for the Ducks.

He has shown no interest in playing for anyone other than the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in 2010. The likelihood that he will retire as a Duck is very high. His extension is also a sign that management has full confidence in Fowler’s abilities; and wants to keep him around for the long haul.

Cam’s allegiance to the team is a big reason why he gets along so well with his teammates both on and off the ice.

Integrity

A person with strong moral fiber inspires reliance and trust.

When you think of Cam Fowler, you don’t think of a hot-head who has issues keeping his cool. He has a very calm and collected demeanor. Fowler’s strong sense of sportsmanship means he conducts himself in virtuous a manner. The furthest thing from a dirty player.

It was six seasons before Cam Fowler even felt the need to drop his gloves for the first time. His debut fight was not unjustified. Fowler saw Brad Richardson of Arizona deliver a blow to teammate Sami Vatanen, and Fowler came to Vatanen’s defense.

The fact that he is willing to jump to the defense of his teammates is further proof of his solidarity and ethical nature.

ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 02: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler with the puck in the third period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Confidence

The way a veteran player carries himself on the ice is crucial. If a player is confident in himself, his teammates will often follow suit. Likewise, if a player feels inadequate, it can affect the attitude of his teammates towards him.

Cam Fowler is a player who thrives when he is confident in himself. He uses his confidence as a motivator to improve in areas where he feels he is lacking. Fowler does not often let his mistakes take him out of his regular game. Instead, he learns from his mistakes to refine his game.

Nevertheless, he knows full well just how easily a few bad games cause your confidence to slip.

“Confidence goes a huge way in this game and a lot of people don’t realize how easily it can slip, even for professional players.” -Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks defenseman

Optimism

Being optimistic goes hand in hand with confidence. Just like with confidence, being an optimistic player will affect the attitude of your team in a positive way. In every one of Cam Fowler’s postgame interviews I’ve seen, even if he is disappointed, he still radiates optimism.

His attitude during his exit interview this season was the perfect example. Fowler was out with a shoulder injury and eager to join his teammates in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, their playoff journey was short lived after being swept by San Jose in the first round.

Who would have blamed him for having a negative attitude about the outcome? No one. He did express his disappointment; however, he quickly shifted everyone’s focus on the fact that his team had overcome overwhelming obstacles and how excited he was for the future of his team.

“There is a lot to look forward to, and obviously there is a lot of disappointment right now, but I am optimistic and excited about the future of this team.” -Cam Fowler, 2017-18 season exit interview

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 28: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks handles the puck during the game against the Edmonton Oilers. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Humility and Learning From Mistakes

Tony Schwartz from the New York Times defines humility as this:

“Genuine humility is a reflection of neither weakness nor insecurity. Instead, it implies a respectful appreciation of the strengths of others, a lack of personal pretension and a more relaxed sense of confidence that doesn’t require external recognition.”

Cam Fowler is the perfect example of what a humble and confident player should act like. He does not esteem himself as better than other defensemen on his team or in the league. In fact, he has the courage to admit when he makes a mistake and is willing to do something to fix it.

During the summer of 2016, Fowler knew there was a possibility he could be traded in the next few seasons due to the salary cap. He was a good player, yet just like any other player, he still had flaws to iron out.

Any other player may have brushed off his underperformance. Fowler, on the other hand, wanted to be the best player he could be, no matter what team he ended up on. He knew, better than anyone, the areas of his game where he was making missteps.

He enlisted the help of former NHL player, Pat Peake, to help him strengthen the areas where was struggling. Fowler had the integrity to admit he needed to get better. He recognized that there is no such thing as “perfect” because there will always be room to improve.

ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 05: Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (15) with defenseman Cam Fowler (4) after Fowler scored a goal during the third period of game 5 of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

There Are A Few Things Left To Learn

Cam Fowler has all of the essential characteristics to make a wonderful leader. He has had plenty of practice this past season, mentoring young defenseman Brandon Montour. Someday, he can put his characteristics and skills to good use as the Ducks next captain.

More from Pucks of a Feather

Being a leader is not a learned behavior, it comes naturally. In order to make himself effective, there will be some things he is going to have to learn or improve. Fowler will need to hone his communication skills. If the situation should arise, he also needs to know how to effectively delegate responsibilities.

Growing Into His Leadership Role

An ability to grow into this role with Ryan Getzlaf as his mentor will be a huge advantage for him. I think Cam’s training for captain began long before anyone ever considered him for the role. His training began at the start of his NHL career. Scott Niedermayer and his wife opened up their home to Fowler during his rookie season with the Ducks.

Niedermayer served as a mentor for Fowler early in his career. He taught the Winsor, Ontario; the ins and outs of how to take care of yourself and your team during the length of your NHL career.

Taking what he learned from two of the Ducks previous captains will serve him well as he grows into a more prominent leadership position. He has come a long way in his past eight seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

Next: Ducks must do better than Henrique on the second line

I look forward to seeing what kind of leader Cam Fowler will be for the Anaheim Ducks.

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Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler is the perfect candidate for next captain