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Former Kelowna Rockets are a significant part of today’s conversation revolving around Team Canada’s entry in the World Cup of Hockey.
Defenceman Shea Weber, a member of the Rockets from 2001 to 2005, was named today as an alternate captain of Team Canada for the eight-team tournament Sept. 17-Oct. 1 The Sicamous native, traded from the Nashville Predators to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban this summer, will join Sidney Crosby (captain) and Jonathan Toews (alternate) as the players with letters being sewn on their jerseys.
All three players were part of the leadership group for Team Canada’s gold-medal team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Russia.
Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock, a former Kelowna Wings defenceman during their time in the Western Hockey League (1982-83), said unlike what many people might think, Knute Rockne-type speeches more often than not aren’t a part of what leadership is all about.
“Leadership is delivered in the big moments under the gun. Leadership is saying the right thing in a calm, composed manner at the right time. Leadership is about making people accountable when things aren’t right and these guys—whether it be Sid, Web or Taser—they all do it real well,” said Babcock at today’s media conference.
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this week that former Rockets, Jamie Benn (2007-2009) and Duncan Keith (2002-03) have both pulled out of the World Cup event due to injury concerns.
Benn, the Dallas Stars’ leading point-getter the past two seasons, had abdominal surgery during the off-season while Keith, a Penticton native, had surgery on his right knee last season and said he requires more time for it to heal fully.
Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks will fill the spot vacated by Benn while Jay Bouwmeester will take Keith’s position.
All World Cup games will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, with the first preliminary games going Sept. 17. Canada will play the Czech Republic beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific) while Team USA meets Team Europe.
A key Group A match will see Canada playing the United States on Sept. 20 beginning at 5 p.m. PDT.
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