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SOCHI, Russia -- Martin St. Nolan Ryan Angels Jersey . Louis is going to get a chance to represent his country at the Winter Olympics after all. Hockey Canada announced today that the 38-year-old Tampa Bay forward will replace injured Lightning teammate Steven Stamkos on Canadas mens hockey team at the Sochi Olympics. "I heard from Stammer that he wasnt going to go, so I knew it was a possibility," St. Louis told reporters in Tampa on Thursday. "So I guess I was prepared for it." St. Louis said he felt bad for Stamkos, who tried hard to come back from a broken right tibia he suffered in a Nov. 11 NHL game before being ruled out of Olympic competition by the Lightnings medical staff on Wednesday. "I think weve got to understand how hard hes tried and worked to put himself in the position hes in and give himself a chance," St. Louis said. "Obviously hes disappointed and Im disappointed for him. Stammers a true professional and hes done everything he can this past month to get back to the lightning first and hopefully to Team Canada." St. Louis was considered one of Canadas most surprising snubs when Canadas team was first announced, along with Philadelphia forward Claude Giroux and Pittsburgh forward James Neal. The Laval, Que., native led the league in points in the 2012-13 shortened season with 17 goals and 43 assists in 48 games. He is having another strong campaign in 2013-14 with 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 56 games, good for 11th in the league. "I dont see this as Marty replacing me, I see it as Marty deserving a spot on this team and going over and hopefully bringing back a gold medal," said Stamkos in the same news conference. St. Louis has won two World Championship silver medals for Canada over his career. He played in the 2006 Turin Olympics, scoring two goals and an assist in Canadas disappointing seventh-place finish. St. Louis went on a 10-game point streak (eight goals, six assists) for the Lightning after first being left off Canadas team, announced on Jan. 7. He said the snub had nothing to do with his increased production, but his play of late might have given him the edge over Giroux and Neal. "I dont think its motivation. Ive been motivated the past four years ... the past 10 years. If youre not motivated, youre not even considered for these things. His speed could be a benefit to Canada, which has struggled in the Olympics when playing on the larger international ice surface. Canada won gold in Salt Lake City in 2002 and in Vancouver in 2010 playing in NHL-style arenas, but was left off the podium in Nagano, Japan in 1998 and Turin, Italy in 2006. "Obviously its a bigger ice surface. It think my quickness, my speed ... thats what Im going to rely on," St. Louis said. "Its a different game, but I think whatever game plan we come up with, its going to be well thought-out." Stamkos is confident that his teammate can fill any position on Team Canada. "Hes going to go over there and play whatever role possible. I personally think hes going to play a big role," said Stamkos. "The character that he has, the way hes played in big-game situations in the past. I mean, hes won individual awards, hes won the team championships, hes been in those situations. "Its not like its a young guy thats never been in these situations before filling in for someone. This is a guy who can step in and play any role asked."Albert Pujols Angels Jersey . -- Last month, Richie Incognito said severe repercussions would be warranted if the Miami Dolphins kept allowing sacks at such an alarming rate. David Freese Authentic Jersey .J. -- The New York Giants are not only back in the playoff hunt with a four-game winning streak, theyre calling the plays that get them those wins.SURPRISE, Ariz. - Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto had arthroscopic surgery Saturday to remove a small bone from his left foot. Soto had the surgery a day after returning to Texas to be examined by a specialist for what the team had called an Achilles issue. Doctors discovered a bone putting pressure on a flexor tendon. The Rangers said the procedure went well and that the expectation is their starting catcher should be ready for the start of the regular season. "He should be full-go in approximately three weeks. That was part of the reason he had the procedure now," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "His other choice was to effectively try to get through the season with a series of injections." Soto is expected to be back at spring training camp by Monday. He will be in a walking boot for about 10 days before resuming baseball activities. In the off-season, Texas also signed J.P. Arencibia, whom manager Ron Washington said will get the bulk of time in drills while Soto is out. Levine said the bone removed from Sotos foot is a bone that not every person has, and that the tendon being pressed "t;effectively controls the use of your toes. Kevin Jepsen Jersey. " If Soto is fully back to speed in three weeks, he would still then have two more weeks before the season opener March 31 at home against Philadelphia. Soto, the NL Rookie of the Year in 2008 for the Chicago Cubs, was mainly a backup in Texas last season to A.J. Pierzynski, who left in free agency. Soto was the first of 168 major league free agents during the off-season to agree to a big league contract, with a $3.05 million deal in November. Soto was the primary catcher for Rangers ace Yu Darvish the second half of the season. Soto hit .245 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in 54 games last season. Arencibia spent the first 3 1/2 seasons of his career with Toronto. He hit .194 with 21 homers and 55 RBIs in 138 games last season. Notes: LHP Derek Holland is off crutches and starting to walk on a treadmill, but remains in Texas doing rehab after microfracture surgery on the left knee that he injured when he was tripped by his dog on the stairs at his home this winter. ... RF Alex Rios got a second day off in a row because of his sore big left toe. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
