Steven Stamkos will not be suiting up for Team Canada in Sochi, but one of his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates will.
Lightning captain Martin St. Louis has been selected to replace Stamkos on the 2014 Canadian Olympic squad, Hockey Canada announced Thursday.
St. Louis has been one of the NHL’s most consistent players throughout his 12-year career, earning six All-Star selections, two Art Ross Trophies as the league’s top point scorer and the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP in 2004-05, and previously represented Canada at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. At age 38, he will be Team Canada’s oldest player.
St. Louis leads the Lightning in goals (25), assists (29) and points (54) this season and was considered one of the biggest snubs when the Olympic roster was first announced Jan. 7.
Stamkos has made great progress in his recovery from the broken leg he suffered Nov. 11, but it was announced Wednesday that he will not be game-ready in time to compete in Sochi.
Canada will play Norway in its Olympic opener on Feb. 13.
