Malkin on Gonchar's absence from Team Russia: 'I worry for him'

While the dust settles on the Olympic roster selections for the Men's hockey tournament, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin spoke out to rsport about the omissions of Sergei Gonchar and Alexander Semin.

Dallas Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar was hoping to become the first Russian to appear in five Olympic games as part of Team Russia. Without the selection to the Olympic team this year, Malkin says he was upset. "Sergei was left deeply upset by that decision. I worry for him as a player and as a friend, but it (the decision) wasn't down to me." 

Carolina Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin has 20 points in 35 games this season and had 44 points in 44 games played last season. His omission from the team was a surprise to many, but Malkin felt it was shocking. "Everyone was surprised by Semin's absence. Believe me, every player left off the roster - both Semin and Gonchar - was really upset."

As expected both Gonchar and Semin were upset and disappointed by their Olympic omission from Team Russia, but Malkin revealed they were quite distraught.