SOCHI, Russia -- Martin St. Karl Mecklenburg Broncos 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."Brandon McManus Broncos Jersey . - Kyle Wood and Barclay Goodrow scored second period power-play goals to provide all of the scoring for the North Bay Battalion in a 2-0 victory over the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday. Shaquil Barrett Broncos Jersey . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U. PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have designated Trevor Cahill for assignment, a move that could send the struggling right-hander to the minors. Cahill, acquired in a trade with Oakland in 2012, had lost his job in the rotation after a series of bad outings then struggled in a bullpen role. The team also placed third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right knee. The Diamondbacks activated right-handed reliever J.J. Putz from the disabled list and recalled right-handed reliever Will Harris from Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks have 10 days to either trade Cahill, release him, outright him or option him to the minors. If they outright him, the pitcher would go on waivers and could be claimed by other teams. That and a trade are unlikely because Cahill is due to earn about $17 million in a contract that runs through next year, and Cahill seemed to be open to the idea of going to the minors, probably to Reno. "Our hope is to retain him," Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said. "We still think theres value there." Cahill , 1-6 with a 5.66 ERA, had his best years with Oakland. In 2010, he was 18-8 for the As with a 2.97 ERA. "After everything thats happened, I still believe I can come back and be a starter and help this team win," he said before Monday nights game against Houston. "I mean, theyve been nothing but supportive and I cant ask f or anything more." Manager Kirk Giibson noted that Cahill is only 26. Matt Paradis Broncos Jersey. "This games tough. Theres a lot of people that struggle," Gibson said, "and they have to find a way to get back to what they can be. Again, its a tough game, but I still believe in Trevor. I have confidence in him. Hes young. Hes got that going for him." Cahill was particularly aggravating to the Diamondbacks because at times he had spectacular stuff, but that didnt translate into success in games. "There are times when I come out of the pen and feel real good and starts when I feel really good, its just the starts that I dont feel sharp," he said. "Ive just got to figure out a way to kind of get through it and still help the team win." Towers said that Cahill is not suited for a bullpen role. "We think his best role is a starter," Towers said. "Thats what we traded for is a starter. ... Its tough to get a guy lengthened up to become a starter when hes pitching once every eight or nine days in relief." Asked if he regretted the trade, Towers said that he doesnt look back once a deal is made. "I still believe in the kid," he said. Cahill voiced confidence in the Diamondbacks front office. "Im sure theyll do right by me," he said. "They havent given me any indication they wouldnt. Im just going to do whatever is best for the team. I want to stay here but I want to get better and be the guy that I think I can be." Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '
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