Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, coach of Russia's team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, announced Wednesday that Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk has been named team captain.
"When I discussed this issue with coaching staff and the team's general manager, Alexei Kasatonov, it felt like Datsyuk was the most suitable candidate for the role," Bilyaletdinov said at a press conference in Moscow. "It was important that the players supported the choice as well."
Datsyuk seems to be excited to lead the team at the Olympics, which will take place in his home country.
"I am honored to be named a captain," Datsyuk wrote on his verified Twitter account, @Datsyuk13. "Our team embraces the opportunity and responsibility of representing our country on the home ice."
This will be the fourth Olympics for Datsyuk, who represented Russia in 2002, 2006 and 2010. In 18 Olympic games Datsyuk has three goals and 14 points.
In 35 games with the Red Wings this season he has 15 goals and 32 points.
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