NORTH CAROLINA -- The Carolina Hurricanes began training camp for the upcoming season on Thursday.

• The Canes will not hold practice Saturday due to the effects of Hurricane Florence
• The Canes also announced that veteran Justin Williams has been named team captain
• The Hurricanes will play their first exhibition game on September 18

The Canes moved their schedule up a day, and will not hold practice Saturday due to the effects of Hurricane Florence and any potential impact on the Raleigh area.

On Thursday, the Canes also announced that veteran Justin Williams has been named team captain. Coach Rod Brind'Amour tabbed Williams as the leader of the team back in May. The Canes forward enters his second season back in Carolina after he played the mid-2000's with the Canes, including as part of their 2006 Stanley Cup championship team.

"I think leadership is a big, big part of any success of a team," Brind'Amour said. "He comes to the rink everyday, plays the same way, he's a great person and at the end of the day he knows how to win."

The Hurricanes will play their first exhibition game on September 18 at home against the New York Islanders.