Sidney Crosby named Team Canada captain, shocking nobody

According to The Canadian Press, Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has claimed the C for Team Canada, earning the right to lead his team into an Olympics where anything less than gold would be a profound disappointment for his country.

So, uh, good luck to him.

Crosby, who has been Pittsburgh’s captain since 2007 and was the youngest captain ever to win the Stanley Cup, is best known on international ice for his astounding overtime winner in Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Games. Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews and Nashville Predator Shea Weber, both captains of their own NHL squads, were named as the alternates, suggesting that Canada will hardly be wanting for leadership in the dressing room. But while it seems a natural fit–Crosby was an alternate in 2010, and then-captain Scott Niedermayer threw his support behind Crosby when the defenceman was inducted into the  Hockey Hall of Fame–it’s important to note that this will be the first time the 26-year-old will wear the C for Canada in international play.

But still, you guys, that goal in 2010. Here’s that golden goal from Sid the Kid, if you haven’t yet had your sports-inspired patriotism shiver today.

Unremarkably, Twitter was nonplussed about the announcement.

Spend five hrs on a plane only to land and learn Sidney Crosby has been named captain. Shocking! #notsomuch

— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) January 19, 2014

 

I was hoping Jonathan Toews would be named captain of Team Canada but Sidney Crosby isn’t bad either. — Fabian Oppenheim (@iiAmBecomeDeath) January 19, 2014

Hope Sidney Crosby receives the honor of carrying the Canadian flag on opening night! — Samantha (@SamanthaHeeney) January 19, 2014

 

“I’m so surprised that Sidney Crosby is the captain of the men’s Olympic hockey team”- said no one, ever #Sochi2014 #TeamCanada

— Elizabeth Kosturik (@liz_kosturik) January 19, 2014

 

Sidney Crosby named captain of Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team…in the world’s most unnecessary press conference. #Sochi

— ThisHourHas22Minutes (@22_Minutes) January 19, 2014

 

New Puck Daddy: Sidney Crosby named captain of Canadian Olympic team; also, water is still wet http://t.co/BcSH3JqMkz

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 19, 2014

Not to be outdone, Canada’s women’s hockey team also announced that it is handing Caroline Ouellette the difficult task of replacing hockey icon Hayley Wickenheiser as captain. Ouellette is the third-highest scorer in Canadian women’s hockey history. Wickenheiser, Jayna Hefford and Catherine Ward will serve as alternates. Invariably, though, Canada’s women’s team will find its way to the finals, so all that’s left is to hope that Ouellette is the one to take us to the gold.