Sidney Crosby is the face of the NHL and hockey in Canada, so its only natural that hell be the countrys captain at next months Sochi Olympics. Cheap Bills Jerseys Authentic . The Pittsburgh Penguins captain, who scored the gold-medal-winning overtime goal against the United States in Vancouver four years ago, got the nod to wear the "C" this time around. Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators were named alternate captains, Hockey Canada announced Sunday morning. "Sidney, Jonathan and Shea have been leaders on the international stage in the past, as well as with their NHL teams," coach Mike Babcock said in a statement. "These three players will be at the forefront of our efforts in Sochi, but we are confident we have 25 players on our roster that will lead in their own way and allow our team to be successful." There will be no shortage of leadership in Sochi given the presence of six NHL captains, but it starts with Crosby. "Playing for Team Canada, playing in the Olympics is a great opportunity," Crosby told reporters at Penguins practice. "But being able to be named the captain is definitely an honour." Crosby was made the youngest captain in NHL history when he got the "C" for the Pittsburgh Penguins six and a half years ago. In 2009 he raised the Stanley Cup as captain. At the 2010 Olympics, Crosby was an alternate along with defenceman Chris Pronger and winger Jarome Iginla. The 26-year-old Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native doesnt expect his mind-set to change much. Veteran defenceman Scott Niedermayer captained that team and said before his Hockey Hall of Fame induction in November that he had no doubt Crosby is ready to assume that role. "Hes very mature," Niedermayer said. "He was probably ready when he was 16. He was probably ready in 2010, and the thinking was hes going to have enough pressure on him just from who he is and things like that that he doesnt need one more thing to worry about, give it to some old guy thats just trying to figure things out out there. Im sure he would do very well." Toews seemed like the only other logical option, based on performing in 2010 and leading the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cups. Last week he acknowledged the possibility of being named captain. "Im ready for any role," Toews said in Montreal. "Last time, I played five, six, maybe seven minutes at the start of the tournament in Vancouver. By the end of it, the coaches had more confidence in me. They put me in more defensive situations. This time around wont be different. Whether Im captain -- or not -- whatever. Im going to Russia to win a gold medal like everyone else." This will be the second Olympics for most of the core, including the leadership group. "Honestly, it doesnt get old," Crosby said in Vancouver of just making the team. "That feeling doesnt get old. The appreciation and being proud to represent your country, its the same for everybody." Asked if he preferred "Captain Canada" over his current nickname of "Sid the Kid," Crosby said: "Ill let you guys worry about that." Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers has that moniker, and Crosby expects it to stick with the Hockey Canada mainstay despite this announcement. Russia already named Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings as captain. Its Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins for Slovakia and Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens for the Czech Republic. The United States has yet to name its captain, though general manager David Poile singled out Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan and David Backes as the U.S. leadership group. The mens ice hockey tournament in Sochi begins Feb. 12. Canada opens against Norway on Feb. 13. Caroline Ouellette was named captain of Canadas womens team. Haley Wickenheiser will be a permanent alternate, while Jayna Hefford and Catherine Ward will rotate the second "A." "There is a tremendous amount of experience in our dressing room, and there is no shortage of qualified candidates to wear a letter," womens coach Kevin Dineen said in a statement. "The players we have selected as captain and alternates in Sochi have shown their dedication and commitment to the team and its end goal throughout a long season, and we feel they are the ideal choices to lead our team through the Olympic experience." Canadas womens team opens play Feb. 8 against Switzerland. Greg Westlake was named captain of Canadas sledge hockey team. Brad Bowden and Adam Dixon are the alternates. "This is the leadership team we have had in place since 2011, and we have the utmost confidence in them leading our team into Sochi," sledge team coach Mike Mondin said in a statement. "Greg, Brad and Adam have worn the Team Canada jersey with pride every time they have put it on, and have earned the right to wear a letter on the games biggest stage." -- With files from Kelsey Patterson in Montreal and Joshua Clipperton in Vancouver. Cheap Bills Jerseys China . Ellis had a season-high 37 points and two key assists late, Dirk Nowitzki led a fourth-quarter rally with 14 of his 35 points, and the Mavericks spoiled Howards best offensive night in Houston with a 123-120 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night. Authentic Taron Johnson Jersey .The seventh-seeded Raonic was scheduled to play U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan, but was replaced in the Group B pool by Spanish substitute David Ferrer.Raonic, who was 0-2 at the year-end event, said he suffered the injury late in the first set of Tuesdays 6-3, 7-6 loss to Murray. http://www.cheapbillsjerseysauthentic.com/ . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes used a strong third period to extend their winning streak to three games. The Hurricanes scored four goals in the third period to rally past the San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Friday night. "That was our best game of the year," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. Elias Lindholm had a goal and two assists to lead the Hurricanes, including the game-winner with six minutes remaining. Jordan Staal, Eric Staal, Riley Nash and Jay Harrison had Carolinas other goals. Cam Ward made 22 saves for the Hurricanes in his return to the lineup after sitting out Carolinas previous two games. Justin Braun, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Tommy Wingels scored for the Sharks. Joe Thornton extended his point streak to eight games with an assist in the first period. Backup goalie Alex Stalock made 30 saves, and San Jose lost consecutive games in regulation for the first time this season. Before the loss to the Hurricanes and Thursdays 5-1 defeat against Pittsburgh, San Jose had won six in a row. "I dont see an energized team right now," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. "I see us chasing and the other team dictating the pace of the game. I see us making sloppy plays, sloppy passes -- even missing assignments that are defensive assignments that we should be able to do in our sleep right now. "That could be lazy or that could be fatigue. We have to figure that part out." Lindholms go-ahead goal came on a deflection on Andrej Sekeras wrist shot. Lindholm knocked it through Stalocks legs after Sekera skated around the perimeter. It was the first career multi-point game for Lindholm, who was Carolinas first-round pick and fifth overall in the 2013 draft. "That was the player we drafted," Muller said. Eric Staal then added an empty-net goal with 30.2 seconds remaining. "That has got to be a big confidence builder for our guys tonight -- to beat a team llike that who we have a lot of respect for tonight," Muller said. Cheap Bills Jerseys. San Jose had tied the score at 3 with 10:25 remaining in the third period on Brauns slap shot from the point. The Hurricanes scored twice earlier in the third period, controlling much of the action to erase a 2-1 deficit. Nash first deflected a Harrison shot above Stalocks left shoulder to tie the score at 2 at 4:54. Jordan Staal then gave Carolina a 3-2 advantage 6:42 into the period when Nathan Gerbe centred the puck into the crease from the corner. Staal jammed at the puck a couple of times, and Stalock couldnt freeze the puck before Staal knocked it into the net. San Jose quickly tried to move past Thursdays loss to the Penguins, scoring twice in the first period to build a 2-0 lead. Wingels opened the scoring after Harrison couldnt connect with Jordan Staal on a pass up the middle of the ice from behind the Hurricanes net. Wingels took advantage of the miscue, batting Jason Demers one-timer from the point by Ward. The Sharks then took a 2-0 lead with 3:29 left in the period when Vlasics wrist shot from the blue line deflected off the skate of Nash and beat Ward. Carolina rebounded with a strong second period, trimming the deficit to 2-1 on Harrisons goal. Harrisons wrist shot from the point hit the boards behind Stalock and bounced into the crease. Stalock couldnt corral the puck, which ricocheted off Stalocks pad and skate before sliding into the net. "We need to regroup, to get some rest," McLellan said. "I hope that is the case." NOTES: With forwards Drayson Bowman and Patrick Dwyer missing the game with injuries, Carolina recalled Zack Boychuk from Charlotte of the AHL before the game. Boychuk played at left wing. ... The Hurricanes also agreed to terms with Carter Sandlak of the Plymouth Whalers on Friday. Sandlak will finish the season in the Ontario Hockey League before the Hurricanes decide where to assign him. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '