Crosby, Toews, Weber seen as familiar leaders by Team Canada for World Cup of Hockey

Team Canada’s decision to choose Sidney Crosby as captain along with Jonathan Toews and Shea Weber as alternates for the World Cup of Hockey had to do with past international success, as well as their NHL achievements.

The three were the leadership group for Team Canada in the 2014 Olympics, so it made sense to keep the trio together for the World Cup.

“They’re great, great men who have distinguished themselves not only with their ability but with their relentless drive to get better and for success and to help their individual games but to also help Canada medal in the past or win Cups for that matter,” coach Mike Babcock said on a teleconference. “They’re fantastic guys. They know me. I know them. They know what’s expected. And probably the thing that separates them from a lot of players is, they play their best in the biggest moments.”

Toews and Crosby have five Stanley Cups between them. Weber was the captain of the Nashville Predators from 2010-11 through 2015-16 before an offseason trade to the Montreal Canadiens. He has already been named an alternate captain with the Habs.

“The first thing I can tell you is, they make people better with their drive train, with their compete, but with how they are as people and how they are as teammates,” Babcock said. “They all understand that team success is much more important than individual success, and if we’re going to have success, we’re going to all do our little part so we can be great together.”

At the 2014 Olymps, both Crosby and Toews notched three points in six games played as their commitment to an all-around games helped Canada go undefeated. Weber scored three goals, had six points and was a plus-5.

“I think sometimes the numbers don’t show what the scoring chances were and what could’ve happened over a season, but to me we expect the same thing from these guys this time around,” Babcock said. “We both expect Sid and Jonathan to play great with and without the puck and to make sure we spend a ton of time in the offensive zone. I think all you’ve got to do is watch what they’ve been able to do in the National Hockey League and how hard they are to play against to realize how good of players they are and how committed they are.”

The Canadian brain trust noted Toews success as a leader — because of his Cup totals there are sometimes questions on his leadership abilities against Crosby’s — but ultimately sees the three players as a collective group that should help Canada as a whole.

“Everybody thinks there’s this big Knute Rockne speech all the time, and in reality, it’s more about what you do than what you say,” Babcock said. “Leadership is delivering in the big moments, under the gun. Leadership is saying the right thing in a calm, composed manner at the right time. Leadership is about making people accountable when things aren’t right. And these guys, whether it be Sid, Webs or (Toews), they all do it real well.”

Team Canada said it understands that it has to choose the right type of leaders for this World Cup. In a short tournament, leaning on guys who understand the importance of gelling quickly in international events was valuable in this case.

“They’re big boys, they’ve done it before,” Babcock said. “We’d all expect to be successful, but we understand it’s going to be a one-goal tournament and it’s going to be tight. But we’re prepared for that and excited for that opportunity. I think the best of the best love these 50-50 opportunities. They love when the stakes are the highest, and I think our leadership group is a prime example of that.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper