While all of us were asleep, Team Russia named Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin as their captain for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. Ovechkin has previously served as kapitan for the Capitals, Dynamo Moscow, and the Russian national team. Evgeni Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk were named the alternates.
“It’s an honour for me to be the team’s captain for such a big competition,” Ovechkin said to the media. “The coach simply came up to me and told me that I am going to be captain. We’re looking forward to the game with the Czech Republic as to get some game practice under our belts, and during these friendlies, we will get into playing shape.”
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The Russian Ice Hockey Federation announced today that Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin will serve as Team Russia’s captain at the World Cup of Hockey 2016. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) forward Pavel Datsyuk have been named alternate captains.
Ovechkin, 30, has recorded 525 goals and 966 points in 839 NHL games with the Capitals. The NHL’s leading goal scorer the last four seasons, Ovechkin has served as team captain in Washington since 2010. The Moscow, Russia native has won three gold medals with Team Russia at the IIHF World Championship (2008, 2012, 2014).
Malkin, 30, has registered 295 goals and 760 points in 644 NHL games with the Penguins. Malkin has served as an assistant captain in Pittsburgh since 2008 and has won two Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016). The Magnitogorsk, Russia native has won two gold medals with Team Russia at the IIHF World Championship (2012, 2014).
Datsyuk, 38, registered 314 goals and 918 points in 953 games over 14 NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He served as an alternate captain for 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. The Sverdlovsk, Russia native was team captain for Russia at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Datsyuk won a gold medal with Team Russia at the 2012 IIHF World Championship.
Eight teams – Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team USA – will compete in the two-week tournament, featuring more than 170 of the best players in the NHL. All tournament games will be played at Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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