Ovechkin named captain of Russia's World Cup team

The Great 8 will wear the "C."

Alex Ovechkin was named captain of Russia's World Cup team Wednesday, with Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin serving as alternates.

Datsyuk was Russia's captain at the Sochi Olympics, where the home country failed to medal for the third straight Winter Games.

Ovechkin, who's served as captain of the Washington Capitals since 2010, last wore the "C" at the international level at the 2014 World Championship, where Russia won gold.