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In a stunning turn of events that has left fans across the desert buzzing with emotion, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has officially announced that star defenseman Jacob Bryson will be the new team captain for the 2025–26 NHL season.
The announcement came Thursday morning during a press conference at KeyBank Center, where Ruff praised Bryson’s leadership, work ethic, and commitment to the organization both on and off the ice.
> “Jacob has been the heartbeat of our locker room,” Ruff said. “He leads by example every day — whether it’s through his play, his preparation, or the way he treats his teammates. This is a well-deserved honor.”
Bryson, 27, has been with the Sabres organization since being drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his speed, defensive reliability, and quiet intensity, Bryson has evolved into one of Buffalo’s most consistent blueliners over the past few seasons.
The move signals a shift toward a more balanced leadership core, with assistant captains expected to include forwards Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. Bryson becomes the first defenseman to wear the “C” in Buffalo since Brian Campbell served as alternate captain in the mid-2000s.
Fans reacted with surprise but overwhelming support online, celebrating Bryson’s underdog story and his rise to prominence in a young, hungry Sabres roster.
> “He’s earned everything he’s got,” said teammate Rasmus Dahlin. “He’s the guy everyone respects in here.”
The Sabres open their season next week against the Arizona Coyotes, where Bryson will don the captain’s “C” for the first time — a moment sure to mark the start of a new era
in Buffalo hockey.
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