LEWISTON — Their backgrounds and ages are diverse by design.

Some of the names on the list are expected. Others might turn some heads.

One thing each of the six players named to be captains of the 2010-11 Lewiston Maineiacs has in common with the rest, though, is respect — from the coaching staff, and from their teammates.

“It’s a good group; we have players of all ages,” Maineiacs coach J.F. Houle said. “We have guys who speak French and guys who speak English. The important thing they all have is the ability to communicate well with their teammates.”

Cameron Critchlow leads the list of names, and will wear the captain’s ‘C’ this season. The Maineiacs acquired Critchlow, 19, from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season.

“I’m looking forward to taking on the responsibility and the challenge,” Critchlow said. “I’m definitely a vocal guy, I like to try and help they guys grow. On the ice, I try to show people what they need to bring every shift. It’s important that everyone knows where the bar is set and to make sure that everyone is working to reach that level.”

Sam Finn, who wore an ‘A’ last season as an assistant captain, will reprise his role this season. The 19-year-old defenseman has been one of the steadiest blueliners on the roster since arriving in Lewiston via trade from Cape Breton.

“It’s basically like having a co-captain,” Critchlow said of Finn. “We’re both going on our fourth year in the league, and we both know and expect each other to take matters into our own hands if we need to in certain situations.”

“It’s great to know I have the trust of the team and the coaches,” Finn said. “I’m more of an example-type on the ice, and I don’t see that changing much.”

Four other players — Michael Chaput, Sam Henley, Antoine Houde-Caron and Pierre-Olivier Morin — will also wear A’s in alternating fashion. Chaput and Houde-Caron will each don the letter at home, while Henley and Morin will take on their responsibilities during the team’s 34 road games.

Chaput, 18, enters his third season in the league, spending each of his previous two seasons with the Maineiacs. Drafted ninth overall in the 2008 QMJHL draft, he was recently drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 89th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In 97 career games with Lewiston, Chaput has 31 goals, 34 assists, 65 points, and 94 penalty minutes.

Houde-Caron, 20, enters his fifth season in the QMJHL, spending each of his previous four seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes. In 185 career games, Houde-Caron has 44 goals, 32 assists, 76 points, and 118 penalty minutes.

Henley, 17, enters his second season. In 63 career games, Henley has four goals, nine assists, 13 points, and 22 penalty minutes.

Morin, 19, enters his fourth season. In 137 career games, Morin has 36 goals, 59 assists, 95 points, and 105 penalty minutes.