Devils’ Jesper Bratt Named Alternate Captain

On Wednesday (Sept. 16), the New Jersey Devils officially kicked off training camp. While on-ice sessions won’t begin until Thursday, the club’s first order of business was a team meeting, in which head coach Sheldon Keefe made an announcement pertaining to the Devils’ leadership group. 

Heading into his tenth season in New Jersey, Jesper Bratt has been named an alternate captain.

From pick 162 to an A on his chest.#NJDevils | #MadeInJersey pic.twitter.com/XcYS8nGRV3

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 16, 2026

There’s no denying that this honor is well deserved for the 28-year-old Swede. Drafted 162nd overall in 2016, Bratt has emerged as one of the Devils’ most consistent and reliable players. His skill, speed, offensive dominance, and visionary playmaking have made him a cornerstone player.

Season after season, he continues to raise the bar not just for himself, but for his teammates as well. For 2025-26, he finished second in points for the team (71), surpassing the 70-point threshold for the fifth time in his career. The season prior, he set the franchise record for single-season assists with 67.

According to Keefe, the decision was obvious after consulting general manager Sunny Mehta. “One name really stood out as one that does the right things on and off the ice but is also ultra-determined to help bring himself and this team to the next level,” Keefe stated. 

Bratt is expected to have an explosive 2026-27 campaign, as the Devils seek to make their playoff intentions known early on. As the longest-tenured player on the team — along with Nico Hischier — Bratt’s leadership will play a pivotal role in their success this season.

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