Crosby named captain of Team Canada

Sunday, 01.19.2014 / 1:14 PM / 2014 Olympics

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Crosby named captain of Team Canada
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was named captain of the Canadian team that will complete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was named captain of the Canadian team that will compete in the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The announcement was made by Hockey Canada on Sunday morning.

"It's definitely a huge honor," Crosby said. "I think playing for Team Canada and playing in the Olympics is a great opportunity, but being able to be named the captain, I think, is definitely an honor."

This will be the first time in Crosby's career that he will captain Canada's team during international play. He was an alternate captain for Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime that defeated the United States 3-2 and won the goal medal for the Canadians. He was also Canada's alternate captain at the 2006 World Championships, where at the age of 18 he became the youngest player to ever lead the tournament in scoring with 16 points (eight goals, eight assists).

"I don't think it changes a whole lot," Crosby said on the differences between wearing a 'C' and an 'A.' "I think there are lots of really good leaders there, lots of guys with a lot of experience. A short-term event like that I think you just want to come together quickly as a team and make sure that we're all on the same page."

Crosby joins Mario Lemieux and Dave Tippett as Penguins who have captained Canada's Olympic team.

Crosby leads the NHL with 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists) and has led the Penguins to the best record in the Eastern Conference despite injuries that cost key players significant playing time, including center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang.

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews and Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber were named alternate captains.

"Sidney, Jonathan and Shea have been leaders on the international stage in the past, as well as with their NHL teams," Canada 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."

Canada begins play in the Sochi Games against Norway on Feb. 13.

2014 OLYMPICS POLL