NHL star Steven Stamkos will not be joining Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics, the Tampa Bay Lightning confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
"I honestly believe that we did everything possible in order to have my injured leg ready in time for the Olympics, but I realize you can't force healing. I know, in the best interest of my long term health, I cannot represent Canada in Sochi, as much as I would like to," Stamkos said in a statement.
Stamkos suffered a broken right leg in November and could've been out for as long as 12 weeks. He is widely considered one of the best forwards in the game scoring 90 points in three seasons.
Team Canada will now have to seek a replacement for Stamkos. Names that have been thrown around include Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux and Stamkos' linemate Martin St. Louis.
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