ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild centre Mikko Koivu has been chosen as team captain for the season.

The 26-year-old Koivu has become arguably the Wild's best all-around player. General manager Chuck Fletcher and head coach Todd Richards announced the selection Tuesday, after evaluating the team's leadership over the last two weeks.

In the past, the Wild chose a different captain each month. Koivu was picked four times last season. Fletcher and Richards decided to rotate alternate captains for every game.

Also Tuesday, newly acquired right wing Chuck Kobasew skated with the team for the first time.