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 Blue Jays Jerseys . 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. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate. Blue Jays Jerseys 2019 .The Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive back always has the required receipt. But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ .com) - Ben Lovejoy tallied a goal and an assist as the Anaheim Ducks cruised into the All-Star break with a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames.For the second night in a row, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were able to take an early lead against the Amarillo Sox and never look back. On Saturday night, Winnipegs strong offense was again accompanied by some fantastic pitching which gave the Fish a commanding victory. The Goldeyes (2-1) beat the Sox (2-1) 12-2. With the win, the Fish take a 2-1 advantage in the two teams four-game season-opening series at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium. In the first, with the two lead-off Winnipeg batters having already been retired, Ray Sadler got on base with a single. Reggie Abercrombie then stepped to the plate and hit a two-run home run to open the scoring. Matt Jackson then provided the Goldeyes with some fantastic pitching. Jackson allowed only four hits in his six and one-third innings of work. He struck out five, and only gave up one walk. "It was a repeat of last night with Jarvis," Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea said of Jackson on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show, "throwing strikes and dictating each at bat." The Goldeyes offense went back to work in the top of the third. They got three runs in the frame, one on a RBI from Jake Blackwood, one on a RBI from Sadler, and one on a Sox fielding error. Winnipegs bats were quiet in the fourth through seventh innings, but their offense picked itt back up in the eighth. Blue Jays Jerseys China. Ryan Pineda led off the top of the inning with a solo home run. Luis Alen then hit a single, and would eventually come around to score on an error. Sadler and Abercrombie would get on base, and then Josh Mazzola stepped up and hit a three-run home run. The Fish didnt stop there. In the top of the ninth, the Goldeyes loaded the bases, and Sadler hit a two RBI single that scored Kuhn and Jordan Guida — who was pinch-hitting for Alen. Sadler would end the night going an impressive four for six at the plate, with three runs, and three RBI. "When youve got your three-hole hitter locked in, good things are going to happen," said Vermilyea. The Goldeyes bullpen pitched extremely well, and was able to keep the shutout intact until the bottom of the ninth, when the Sox were able to score their two runs. One of which came on the first professional hit for Sox player Josh Miller. The 12 runs that the Goldeyes scored are the most theyve put on the scoreboard so far this season. The Goldeyes will play one more game against the Sox tomorrow at 6 p.m. with the expected pitching match-up to be Winnipegs Nick Hernandez against Amarillos Michael Nannini. The Goldeyes then head to Laredo to take on the Laredo Lemurs in a three-series that starts Monday. ' ' '