Giving the “C” to Brian Gionta, the storied Montreal Canadiens named their new captain Wednesday.

In the team’s 101-year history, Gionta becomes the 28th captain, and just the second American to hold the position.

Gionta succeeded a Finn whose 10-year captaincy, Saku Koivu, ended when he left Montreal as a free agent following the 2008-09 season. Last season, Montreal did not name a captain.

Gionta, who led Montreal with 28 goals in his debut last season after signing a five-year, $25 million deal said, “It’s pretty special”.

In 19 playoff games, the 31-year-old native of Rochester, N.Y., added nine goals and six assists as Montreal advanced to the Eastern Conference final, the deepest the team had gone in the playoffs since winning a record 24th Stanley Cup in 1993.

Hal Gill, an alternate captain and fellow American said, “There’s no greater honor than to play for a franchise like this, and to wear the ‘C’ has got to be a great feeling for him, I imagine. He’s worked hard for it and there’s a long line of great players that also wore that ‘C’ and not everyone gets that opportunity.”

However, Gionta may have to brush up on his French.

Gionta said, “Obviously, we came here, my family and I, and we’re embracing the culture. We enjoy living here in Montreal. It’s a great place to be and we’re going to do our best to learn it. I can’t make promises that I’ll be able to speak it fluently but I’ll try.”