OTTAWA -- Hayley Wickenheiser doesnt put much stock in the flag-bearers curse. The womens hockey star, who will carry the Maple Leaf into the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics, says the idea that she and her teammates could be under any more pressure is absurd. After all, they play a sport that many in Canada consider religion. So any sort of cosmic jinx pales in comparison to the weight of an entire countrys expectations for the womens team to win a fourth straight gold medal in Sochi. "I think theres just too much emphasis to put on that," Wickenheiser said Thursday via conference call from Austria. "The pressure that we feel is the pressure that always comes with playing hockey as a Canadian hockey player, whether youre male or female. "The country expects a gold medal. Whether I carry the flag or not, Im pretty sure our team doesnt feel any extra added incentive that theres more pressure to perform, because we already feel that already." Not all athletes see it that way. Diver Alexandre Despatie felt it would be a distraction and said hed decline any offer to carry the flag at the 2012 London Games. Kayaker Adam van Koeverden carried the flag at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished a disappointing eighth in the 1,000 metres -- although he did win a silver medal in the 500. Moguls skier Jean-Luc Brassard blamed his disappointing performance at the 1998 Nagano Olympics on being the flag-bearer a day earlier. Wickenheiser and her teammates hope the same thing doesnt happen to them. Hockey Canada says the women will march in the Feb. 7 opening ceremonies despite playing their first game the following night versus Switzerland. Brassard, the assistant chef de mission for the Sochi team, was on the panel that selected Wickenheiser along with chef de mission Steve Podborski, assistant chef France St. Louis and one athlete representative. Hockey Canada nominated her for the honour. "Throughout her successful career, this Canadian athlete has demonstrated true Canadian grit, patriotism and sportsmanship," said Podborski, adding that Wickenheiser will lead the Canadian team with "the utmost pride and class." Wickenheiser is embracing the opportunity to put her sport centre stage. "What I think it does is it shines a very positive light on the sport of womens hockey and just on our sport in general for the world to see," said the 35-year-old forward. "Thats a great responsibility and expectation that every nation in the world has to carry in and I think should really embrace." The Shaunavon, Sask., native, who is at a pre-Olympic camp in Austria and wasnt able to attend the formal announcement Thursday on Parliament Hill, will be making her fifth Winter Olympic appearance. But for the first time since 2006, she wont be Canadas captain. Caroline Ouellette has been handed that job, while Wickenheiser will be an alternate. But she remains Canadas biggest womens hockey star and a pioneer of the game. She and teammate Jayna Hefford will be the only players in the 2014 womens hockey tournament who have played in every Olympic Games since female hockey made its debut in 1998. Her stewardship extends beyond hockey as a spokesperson for Right To Play, Clean Air Champions, KidsSport, Spread The Net, Plan Canadas Because I Am A Girl and Classroom Champions. Wickenheiser read the athletes oath in the opening ceremonies at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and she is running for election to the International Olympic Committees athletes commission in Sochi. Veteran speedskater Clara Hughes carried the flag at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics while womens hockey player Danielle Goyette was the flag-bearer at the 2006 Games in Turin. "I remember we were joking, like Dont trip and fall when you come in," Wickenheiser said of her conversation with Goyette before the opening ceremonies eight years ago. "Thats sort of the same thing we were talking about today. Geez, Id better watch some YouTube videos and figure out how the athletes have done this before." --- Cheap Vikings Jerseys . Cruz set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning, and Baltimore scored eight times in the eighth to pull away for a 12-3 victory in Game 1. The major league leader with 40 homers during the regular season, Cruz added an RBI single to his early blast off Max Scherzer. Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . The Kings paraded the Stanley Cup through downtown Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate their second NHL title in three seasons. http://www.cheapvikingsjerseyselite.com/. Better still, its in the same team and there are 13 races left for it to develop. Cheap Vikings Jerseys China . Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night. Wholesale Vikings Jerseys .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, In Saturdays game between Detroit and Ottawa, some Red Wing players - especially Pavel Datsyuk - were the recipients of some vicious checking by Ottawa. Late in the game, Datsyuk received an elbow to the jaw from Jared Cowen. Datsyuk will miss at least two games and possibly more. The NHL described the hit as accidental and stated that Cowen will not be punished. If we want to clean up the game and protect star players as the NHL professes to do, are they not being hypocritical - especially when hits to the head occur? Perhaps the impending law suit might awaken them from their slumber? Tony Boodhoo, Ingersoll --- Hey Kerry, As a former amateur official, I always enjoy your articles. Wondering about your take on the non-call on Jared Cowens elbow/forearm to the chin of Pavel Datsyuk. Looked to me to be a clear fly by elbow from Cowen as he skated by Datsyuk who had pulled up along the boards. I assume the on-ice officials did not see it has it was quick and sneaky, but no doubt deliberate. I dont understand why there was no discipline from Player Safety. Datsyuk has missed two games as of this email waiting for symptoms to clear. Isnt this the kind of gratuitous and deliberate head shot the League is trying to remove from the game, coincidentally on the eve of the concussion class action suit? Thanks for your thoughts and keep up the good work. David W. Barton ---Hi Kerry, Can you help thee hockey world understand how Jared Cowens elbowing Pavel Datsyuk in the face was neither penalized on the ice and was not suspended for it? Datsyuk has what appears to now be a concussion, missing his second game.dddddddddddd The league has made an issue of hits to the head, and this to me appears as blatant as they come. If you havent seen it, here it is: Pavel is a several time Lady Byng winner, and one of the best players in the world, and the message sent from the league is its open season again on star players. I just dont get it anymore with these attempts to injure and non calls. Thanks! Tom from Los Angeles Tony, David and Tom: By describing Jared Cowens extended elbow on this play as accidental, we are led to believe that Cowen didnt intend to make contact with Pavel Datsyuks chin/head. That might be the case, since no one other than Jared Cowen knows his true intention. The penalty was most likely missed by the referee since the hit was late and well after Datsyuk had dished the puck up the wall to Brendan Smith at the point. This resulted in a natural shift in the refs focus of attention. A more detailed explanation of the incident and utilizing language from Rule 48.1 (iii) to describe why a suspension did not result from the play might go something like this: Jared Cowen set up to attempt a legal shoulder check on Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk became aware of the impending contact and materially changed the position of his body (stopping/pulling up) and his head (dropped/lowered) prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact. Jared Cowen recognized that his intended legal contact was going to be avoided by Pavel Datsyuks material change in body/head position and Cowen extended his elbow thereby striking Datsyuk in the head. The Player Safety Committee might have concluded that Jared Cowen extended his elbow in a reflex move and as a byproduct of Pavels last second avoidance to being hit thereby deeming it accidental. We know from previously broadcast decisions the language of Rule 48 is often referred to and utilized as a reference and guideline by the PSC. I say its time to alter the thought process in situations such as this. No matter how you spin it, the irrefutable evidence is that Pavel Datsyuks head became the sole point of contact when Jared Cowen made a poor decision to extend his elbow and delivered the late, illegal contact. Datsyuk sustained an injury resulting from Cowens elbow to the head. The wrong message is sent to the rank and file when players are not held accountable and avoid suspension for hits to the head of an opponent similar to this incident. It also matters not whether the injured player is a Lady Byng Trophy winner and a star performer in the NHL. All players are entitled to equal protection and their safety reasonably and responsibly provide for. 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