Mike Moore will again wear the uniform of the Hershey Bears in 2015-16, but his jersey might have a slight alteration.

The veteran defenseman, re-signed on July 1 by the Bears and Washington Capitals, looms as a leading candidate to be Hershey’s captain.

“Absolutely, it would be an honor,” Moore said. “It would be an honor for anybody for that organization. We haven’t talked about the leadership group or anything like that. As a player, you just want to play the same way that you’ve tried to play and the same way that’s kind of gotten you where you have been in your career.

“We’ll see what happens. It’s open and it’s exciting and we’ll see what the season brings.”

Steve Oleksy and Dane Byers served as captain in 2014-15. Oleksy signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and Byers remains an unsigned free agent.

Moore, 30, was an alternate captain last season along with Garrett Mitchell. Hershey’s reigning team Man of the Year has previously served as captain for the Milwaukee Admirals, Providence Bruins and Worcester Sharks.

Bears head coach Troy Mann said Moore is “absolutely” on the short list of captain candidates.

“One of the reasons Moorsie was brought back is he’s one of the best human beings that we’ve been around,” Mann said. “He certainly probably would have been the captain’s choice if it wouldn’t have been for my relationship with O.

“So he is certainly a leading candidate right off the bat. Let’s not forget Garrett Mitchell, though, as well. That’s a guy I’ve known for a long time and basically grown up with.”

Moore’s left shot, leadership and mentoring abilities factored in his favor for the club to re-sign him. Rookie defensemen Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos and Tyler Lewington are ticketed for Hershey in 2015-16.

“He’s that left-shot veteran D that can help these young kids,” Mann said. “You’ve got to remember, we’re going to have three rookie D-men on our back end. That veteran leadership is going to be important.”

An elbow injury limited Moore to a career-low 41 games last season (3-11-14) and he headed into the uncertainty of free agency. The 6-1, 206-pounder didn’t have a long wait.

He was re-signed on the first day.

“It was what I wanted,” Moore said. “I was treated very well by the organization. I felt like we had a great team and a chance to win a Calder Cup. I think if you want to win a Calder, the place to start is Hershey.

“I’m excited to be back and really pumped for the season. We’ve got a great group of guys there and some more additions. I think it’s going to be fun. I was excited to be able to get it done right away and know that I’m going to be part of the team.”

Moore got an NHL-AHL two-way contract, not an AHL-only deal, for 2015-16. His six games of NHL experience all came with the San Jose Sharks in 2010-11.

“That was fortunate and nice to see that throughout the organization up to Washington still believes in you,” Moore said. “That means a lot. To know that they see you as a guy that they can use, that’s what you want to be viewed as and that’s what you want to do to help contribute and be ready for a call-up if needed.”

Moore’s left elbow was hyperextended on Nov. 8 in a collision with Hartford Wolf Pack winger Chris Bourque, who was signed as a free agent and now will be Moore’s teammate. The injury didn’t require surgery but kept him sidelined until Feb. 1.

“As far as playing the last bit of the season, it was nice because I didn’t have to think about it,” Moore said. “They did a great job making sure I was ready before I came back.

“That’s just an issue where it’s something you modify in your [summer] training. To be able to play with it and to be able to work out and not have to be thinking about it when you’re doing different exercises is reassuring to know that you’re healthy and ready for the season.”