Canada will again look to Sidney Crosby to lead it to Olympic gold in men’s hockey.
Crosby was the star of the 25-man team announced Tuesday. In Sochi, Canada will attempt to become the first nation to win back-to-back Olympic men’s hockey gold medals since the Soviet Union era.
It has not won an Olympic title on non-North American ice since Oslo 1952, but there is no doubt Canada is the most talented nation in the 12-team field.
Goalie Roberto Luongo, who took over for Martin Brodeur at the Vancouver Games, suffered an ankle injury Saturday, but it does not appear serious.
Luongo or Olympic rookie Carey Price is expected to be Canada’s starter in Sochi. The third goalie is Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Olympic hockey rosters: U.S. | Canada | Russia | Sweden | Finland | Czech Republic | Slovakia | Switzerland | Latvia | Norway | Austria | Slovenia
Tampa Bay Lightning sniper Steven Stamkos was named to the team despite his broken tibia. If he is unable to play, he can be replaced up to Jan. 12.
The notable omissions were forwards Claude Giroux and Martin St. Louis. St. Louis is the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, whose GM, Steve Yzerman, is Canada’s GM.
Canada was dealt another blow with forward Logan Couture set to undergo surgery Wednesday. He was also left off.
In their place, Canada went with the likes of Patrick Marleau, Jamie Benn and Chris Kunitz, who were seen as bubble players.
The defense is led by 2010 Olympians Shea Weber, Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty. Dan Hamhuis was selected over the likes of Brent Seabrook and Dan Boyle.
Here’s the full Canada roster:
Goalies
Roberto Luongo -- Vancouver Canucks
Carey Price -- Montreal Canadiens
Mike Smith -- Phoenix Coyotes
Defensemen
Jay Bouwmeester -- St. Louis Blues
Drew Doughty -- Los Angeles Kings
Dan Hamhuis -- Vancouver Canucks
Duncan Keith -- Chicago Blackhawks
Alex Pietrangelo -- St. Louis Blues
P.K. Subban -- Montreal Canadiens
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- San Jose Sharks
Shea Weber -- Nashville Predators
Forwards
Jamie Benn -- Dallas Stars
Patrice Bergeron -- Boston Bruins
Jeff Carter -- Los Angeles Kings
Sidney Crosby -- Pittsburgh Penguins
Matt Duchene -- Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Getzlaf -- Anaheim Ducks
Chris Kunitz -- Pittsburgh Penguins
Patrick Marleau -- San Jose Sharks
Rick Nash -- New York Rangers
Corey Perry -- Detroit Red Wings
Patrick Sharp -- Chicago Blackhawks
Steven Stamkos -- Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares -- New York Islanders
Jonathan Toews -- Chicago Blackhawks
