CHICAGO (AFP) - The Chicago Blackhawks are counting on youthful energy to make up for any lack of experience on the part of new captain Jonathan Toews.

The National Hockey League Club on Friday made the 20-year-old Toews the third-youngest player in the history of the league to hold the title of captain.

He has played 64 NHL games.

Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was appointed captain of the Penguins in May 2007 at 19 years, 297 days, while Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier took the helm of the Lightning in March 2000 at 19 years, 330 days.

"Jonathan deserves this honor," Chicago general manager Dale Tallon said. "He is a tremendous individual and a wonderful leader on and off the ice. He has experience in captaining teams from his World Junior (Championship) appearances, and guys follow his lead in our locker room."

Toews, drafted third overall in 2006, made his NHL debut last season. He posted 24 goals and 30 assists and led all rookies in both tallies as well as in power-play goals with seven.

Toews began his career with a 10-game points streak, the second-longest such run in NHL history.

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