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TAMPA, Fla. Panthers Cam Newton Black Jersey . -- Steven Stamkos will not play for Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics after tests revealed Wednesday that his broken right leg is not completely healed. Tampa Bay Lightning doctors said they couldnt clear him to play after examining his most recent CT scan and will re-evaluate his condition again in two to three weeks. Lightning captain and teammate Martin St. Louis has been named as his replacement. Its a big blow for the 23-year-old, who had been optimistic earlier this week that he might be able to play by as soon as Saturday. "Today is obviously very disappointing for me," Stamkos said in a release. "I honestly believe that we did everything possible in order to have my injured leg ready in time for the Olympics, but I realize you cant force healing. I know, in the best interest of my long-term health, I cannot represent Canada in Sochi, as much as I would like to." Yzerman said Stamkos "should not be participating in game action at any time in the near future." "Although the doctor was very pleased to this point with the healing process, he explained that the callus surrounding the fracture site is not 100 per cent consolidated, and Steven will not be cleared to play in a game until that happens," said Yzerman. "It was a pretty clear-cut decision, no grey areas at all." Sidney Crosby, the captain for Team Canada, was disappointed to hear that Stamkos would not be heading to Sochi. "Its tough to see. I think we all figured if theres anyone thats going to find a way back, it would be him," Crosby said, after scoring a goal and adding an assist in Pittsburghs 5-1 win at Buffalo Wednesday night. "That being said, its probably more difficult for him than anyone else. You feel for him, but we obviously have to move forward." Crosby declined to suggest who he might favour as a candidate to replace Stamkos. "With different guys in the mix, I think its a good problem to have," Crosby said. "But nonetheless, I dont think its an easy decision at all." NHL players are set to leave Sunday and arrive in Sochi on Monday. Canadas first game is Feb. 13. Stamkos suffered the injury Nov. 11 and hasnt played since. He underwent surgery to have a titanium rod inserted into the tibia. http://www.panthersstore.us.com/Black-13-Kelvin-Benjamin-Womens-Jersey/ .01 seconds in a race so tight the top five skiers were separated by only 0.08 seconds. Miller was faster than Kroell at every split but lost time on the bottom section and finished an eye blink behind Kroell, who won in two minutes 4. http://www.panthersstore.us.com/Black-76-Greg-Hardy-Womens-Jersey/ .J. - Peyton Manning counts $17. TORONTO -- Actor Tom Hanks has added his voice to those protesting the artificial turf surfaces that Canadian venues will use at the upcoming FIFA 2015 Womens World Cup. "Opinion: Womens World Cup is the best Soccer of the year," Hanks tweeted to his 8.73 million followers on Friday. "Hey FIFA, they deserve real grass. Put in sod." The use of turf at all six Canadian venues for the upcoming major tournament has been a contentious issue for some players, including American stars Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan. A group of 40 international players recently sent a letter to FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association threatening legal action, arguing that requiring womeen to play on artificial turf is discriminatory. Buy Panthers Kuechly Jerseys Store. The letter claims that no mens World Cup final has ever been contested on an artificial surface. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said at a news conference in Toronto earlier this month that tournaments held on turf are a reality of the future, and that the quality of todays turf is much better than the old green carpets used in the past. But in the letter, players say that even the better quality turf used today still poses a greater risk for injury than playing on a natural surface. Hanks, a two-time Academy Award winner for best actor, is a soccer fan who supports English Premier League club Aston Villa. ' ' ' |
