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NHL players are going to the 2014 Winter Olympics. It took months of deliberation, but participation in the games was made official after an agreement was reached between the league, the NHL Players Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation. "I think like everyone thought it was just kind of a matter of time, working out logistics," Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "With it being a little further in Russia Im sure there was a little bit more work to do. Im glad that were going and obviously excited to kind of start the process." Commissioner Gary Bettman has been optimistic for several weeks about a deal getting done. But until it was finalized there was uncertainty about players going to the Games in Sochi, Russia, despite NBC securing broadcast rights for the games and players expressing the desire to go. "The decision to participate in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was in many ways a difficult one, but one that we know will be well received by our players and, most importantly, by the vast majority of our fans and sports fans everywhere," Bettman said in a statement. It will be the fifth Olympics featuring NHL players since they were first allowed to represent their countries in 1998. The NHL will interrupt its season from Feb. 9-26 for the tournament, which will take place from Feb. 12-23. The 2013-14 NHL schedule, delayed until this deal was finalized, was released later Friday. Canada won gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, when Crosby scored to beat the United States in overtime. "Its gone by really fast," Crosby said. "Obviously with injuries and stuff like that, too, it wasnt like there was three full hockey seasons to kind of look back on. Its definitely gone by quick, but its exciting. You start to kind of think about it and obviously with it being announced that were going." Overall its been an up-and-down experience for Canada at the Olympics. Canada finished seventh in Turn in 2006, won gold in Salt Lake City in 2002 and finished fourth in Nagano in 1998. Canada will be in Group B along with Austria, Finland and Norway. Group A is made up of the United States, Russia, Slovakia and Slovenia, while Group C is made up of the Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and Latvia. Canada opens the Olympic tournament Feb. 13 against Norway. Naturally, the expectation for Canada is the same as it was in 2010. "Just being Canadian you realize pretty quickly that people come together that time of year, especially, and when its hockey even more so," Crosby said. "I think that you want to go there and find a way to win gold." Some Russian stars, including Alex Ovechkin, have said they would go to Sochi regardless of NHL permission. Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis even said he would allow Ovechkin to go with or without the leagues blessing. That is no longer an issue the league or players association needs to worry about. "The players are very pleased that an agreement has been reached that will allow the worlds best hockey players to compete at the Winter Games in February," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said in a statement. "Having the opportunity to wear their nations sweater in Sochi is something the players look forward to." Seven NHL referees and six linesmen will go to Sochi, joining the IIHFs on ice officiating crew. Canada is expected to announce its coaching staff in the coming days. Reportedly Mike Babock will be back as head coach, joined by assistants Claude Julien, Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock. Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson said he hopes orientation camp in Calgary begins Aug. 25 but said in an interview he wasnt sure if players would be able to skate because of insurance issues. "We got some quotes yesterday that it would be over a million dollars to skate," Nicholson said. "So if its that type of dollars, itd be very difficult for us to do that. But were just starting to look into that now with the agreement being done today." Custom Colorado Rockies Jerseys . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Colorado Rockies Shirts . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/ . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Rockies Jerseys 2020 . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Colorado Rockies Gear . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. RENTON, Wash. -- When the Seattle Seahawks released their depth chart for the season opener against Miami, there was a surprising hierarchy at running back.Christine Michael was slotted ahead of Thomas Rawls.Of course, it was an unofficial depth chart, one that coach Pete Carroll joked about being just that on Wednesday. But it was also an affirmation that even though Rawls is expected to be the Seahawks primary ball carrier this season, Michael has done enough since the end of last year to earn himself a share of the time in the backfield.As (offensive coordinator) Darrell Bevell said, `Hes had an awakening, Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said of Michael. Hes always been one of those guys that has always worked at his craft, always asked questions but now hes asking the right questions. Hes matured in that regard and I couldnt be happier for him and his progress.Carroll wasnt willing to break down how the carries will be split on Sunday against the Dolphins. Rawls was a star last season filling in while Marshawn Lynch was injured, running for 830 yards before breaking his ankle in a December game against Baltimore.But the Seahawks wont discount what Michael showed in the preseason. With Rawls still recovering, Michael took the carries against the No. 1 defenses Seattle faced and averaged 6.0 yards per carry. More than anything, that could be why Michael was listed as the starter ahead of Rawls, as a reward for what hes shown so far.Carroll described Rawls status heading into the opener as equivalent to playing his second preseason game. Thats not meant to be an indication of whether Rawls will play, but perhaps a sign that his workload for the opener will be light.Were just going to watch and see how he handles it. Thats all. Just see how he handles it, Carroll said. That would be the only restriction is how hes taking the rigors of the game.ddddddddddddAnd thats not a problem for Seattle with the way Michael has played in the preseason and because his running style is slightly different than Rawls. While Rawls is likely to bounce off defenders running between the tackles, Michael is more apt to make one cut and run through the opening created by the offensive line and use his speed to get into the open field.Having complementary running backs is more the style Carroll likes. His most successful teams in college at USC often featured running backs with differing skills used in a partnership. It was Carroll who adjusted to relying on one primary running back when he saw what Lynch could provide after arriving in a trade from Buffalo early in the 2010 season.I think you get a couple of guys and get that going so you can feed off of those guys. I thought our days at SC really showed that. We had multiple guys that could play with different strengths and sometimes one guy was more effective on a day than the other guys. We never played the favorites. We just played the guy that was hot, Carroll said. So I think the ability to mix guys gives us more flexibility and a higher level of play, too. But I do really appreciate the guy that needs to be out there and stay out there and gets more instinctive as the game goes on, Ive got that understanding, too.Game notes Carroll remained coy Wednesday about the status of TE Jimmy Graham for the opener. His chances are the same. Theyre good, Carroll said. ... Rookie DT Jarran Reed (toe) is expected to play Sunday if he is able to make it through practice this week.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '