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Canada's Babcock: 'Everyone on our team is capable of being a captain'

Mark Blinch / REUTERS

With Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Shea Weber on the roster, Hockey Canada returns the leadership core from the Sochi Olympics to the World Cup of Hockey next month - and with good reason. That Canadian team crushed the competition in their title defense, allowing an astounding three goals in six games.

But while there isn't a need for change, there's also no reason to restrict the team to three sources of leadership. Canadian coach Mike Babcock indicated as much in a conference call Thursday.

"Everyone on our team is capable of being a captain," he said.

But the familiarity Babcock shares with Crosby, Toews, and Weber made choosing his leaders quite simple.

"They know me, I know them, they know what's expected," Babcock said.

"They're great, great men who have distinguished themselves not only with their ability but with their relentless drive," he added. "For them to lead a bunch of leaders is going to be important for our group to have success."

Team Canada will converge in the nation's capital for training camp at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, beginning Sept. 4.

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