By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
For being the American Hockey League’s best team during the 2025-26 regular season, the Providence Bruins have seen a drastic change to their roster this offseason. Forwards Riley Tufte, Georgii Merkulov, and Fabian Lysell are all gone, as well as defensemen Christian Wolanin and Michael Callahan. One major loss to Providence’s roster was captain Patrick Brown, who signed overseas in Germany. Brown served as Providence’s captain for the past two seasons. With Brown gone, Providence has its captain role open.
Even with Brown gone, Providence still has a good amount of leadership on its roster. However, a new Providence captain still has yet to be named. Providence will begin the 2026-27 season on Oct. 2 against the Utica Comets at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Even with the season opener over two months away, it’s never too early to predict who could serve as the next captain of Providence, and there could be three potential players.
Joey Abate
For the 27-year-old defenseman, Abate has had plenty of AHL experience with Providence. Since the 2022-23 season, Abate has spent his entire AHL career with Providence, recording 53 points in 197 games. Abate’s eight goals, 14 assists, and 22 points in the 2025-26 season each set new career highs.
Abate’s career year last season was a big step in his hockey career. Abate served as an alternate captain for Providence during the 2024-25 season. While he didn’t serve as an alternate captain last season, Abate’s alternate-captain experience makes him a good candidate to be Providence’s next captain.
Billy Sweezey
Sweezey has recorded 57 points in 338 career AHL games since the 2020-21 season. For the past two seasons, Sweezey has been a member of Providence. Sweezey has recorded 27 points in 133 games during his Providence tenure. Last season, Sweezey recorded career highs of 16 assists, 17 points, and a +21 rating. Sweezey can also drop the gloves and fight when needed.
Along with a career year, Sweezey served as an alternate captain for Providence last season along with Callahan. However, Callahan departed this offseason, making Sweezey the only remaining alternate captain from last season on the current roster. With a career year last season and already serving as an alternate captain, the 30-year-old defenseman is a real candidate to be Providence’s next captain.
Brendan Gaunce
After signing a new contract earlier this month, Gaunce is back with the Bruins organization for a second stint, as he spent the 2019-20 season in Providence and recorded 37 points. At 32 years old, Gaunce has spent the majority of his hockey career in the AHL. Gaunce has recorded 298 points in 432 career AHL games. Gaunce’s voice will be one to listen to for Providence. With all the losses Providence has had with its forwards this offseason, Gaunce will provide solid depth up front.
One key thing that may make Gaunce qualified to be Providence’s next captain above everyone else is that he has captain experience. Gaunce was the captain of the Cleveland Monsters during the 2023-24 season and last season, as well as being the captain of the Iowa Wild during the 2024-25 season. Being an AHL captain over the past three seasons gives Gaunce a big edge for his next captaincy.
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