FINDING Collingwood's next captain is expected to take most of the pre-season, however, the club's looming high-altitude trip to Arizona may endorse its best candidates.

Most of the squad will embark on the USA camp from November 10; the third year it has featured in the Pies' preparations.

And it will do so without Scott Burns, who replaced Nathan Buckley as captain in March but recently announced his own retirement after 264 games.

Burns has since accepted an assistant coaching position with the West Coast Eagles.

It means three skippers in three years for Collingwood, and coach Mick Malthouse has flagged a thorough process to determine who should get the job.

However, chief executive Gary Pert believes a gruelling Arizona experience, which will include a nine-hour trek to the Grand Canyon, could determine a short-list.

"We have a number of very good leaders at the club," Pert told Sunday's Herald Sun.

"And such an extreme experience like a training camp in Arizona will no doubt allow some of the players with real leadership aspirations to stand out within the group.

"I don't think this is going to be the only selection path to the next captain. But I am sure that you will start to see those qualities come out in individuals in extreme circumstances."

Last week Buckley voiced his support of utility Nick Maxwell as captain, ahead of veteran forward Anthony Rocca and impressive young midfielder Scott Pendlebury.

Collingwood's leadership group for 2008 saw Burns flanked by vice-captain Josh Fraser and deputies Tarkyn Lockyer, Maxwell and Pendlebury.