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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer gets the call in net as Canada opens up its World Championship group stage play on Friday against France. You can catch the action live on TSN at 9:30am et/6:30am pt. Coach Dave Tippett says he made the call of Reimer over Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, Reimers former teammate, strictly due to seniority. Its expected that both goalies will split time at the tournament in Belarus with Scrivens likely seeing action in Canadas next game on Saturday against Slovakia. Reimer last played for Canada at the 2011 World Championships in Slovakia, posting a 4-0 record in the group stage. Jonathan Bernier, now Reimers teammate with the Leafs, was preferred for Canadas quarterfinal game and dropped a 2-1 decision to Russia. This is Scrivenss first time representing Canada at any level. Meanwhile, Kevin Bieksa was named Team Canadas captain on Thursday. Coach Dave Tippett said Bieksa got the nod because hes outgoing but also plays hard and with passion. Jason Chimera is one alternate because he brings the experience of winning at this tournament before and Kyle Turris is the other because he bridges young and old on the roster. One thing Canadas leadership group has in common is a love for keeping things light on the ice. Thats part of what Bieksa thinks his role is, but he also expects his teammates to take the tournament seriously. "Just to keep guys loose having fun and then focused for the games," the Vancouver Canucks defenceman said. "Everybodys coming over here for a purpose. We didnt fly all this way just to have a good time. We flew here to win games and to continue on the standard that Canada set at the Olympics. Were going to come to compete." At 32, Bieksa is the fourth-oldest player on the team, younger than only Chimera (35), Joel Ward (33) and Alex Burrows (32). There are also a handful of very young players, including Nathan MacKinnon (18), Sean Monahan (19), Jonathan Huberdeau (20), and Mark Scheifele (21). Bieksa is in charge of helping meld this diverse group together. "Its been pretty seamless so far. Everybody brings something to the table," Bieksa said after practice at Chizhovka-Arena. "The young guys are young and (add) a new perspective and energy and the older guys, theres some guys that have played in this tournament a few times and they know what to expect and you lean on them for some advice. Its a good mix." Chimera is Canadas only player with an IIHF World Hockey Championship gold medal, won in 2007 in Moscow. His message to a lot of his teammates is that they never know when theyll be able to wear the Maple Leaf again. That could be true of Chimera, too, and if it is the Washington Capitals winger is making sure he enjoys it. Even with two children at home, his wife was supportive of him coming to Minsk to play in his third world championship. "Hockey keeps you young," said Chimera, whos 4 1/2 years too young to be able to play without a visor. "Its just awesome, you see these young kids, how talented they are, they keep it light. A lot of them were pretty nervous coming over here, but I try to keep it as light as possible." Thursdays first practice in Minsk following an exhibition game against Switzerland in Zurich was light but up-tempo. Tippett and assistants Paul Maurice and Peter DeBoer had plenty of teaching to do a day before Canada opens the tournament against France. James Reimer will start against France, while Ben Scrivens is set to start against Slovakia on Saturday night. "It goes solely off seniority," Tippett said. "Scrivens was upset because he thought he shouldve got the call because he had 19 seconds longer than Reimer the other day (in the exhibition game)." Reimer is playing at the world championships for the second time after going 4-0-0 in 2011 before being replaced by now-Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Jonathan Bernier. With Scrivens -- whos now with the Edmonton Oilers -- on board this time, Reimer is sharing the net with a former teammate. Come the start of the 2014-15 NHL season, he very well could have another goaltending partner if the Leafs trade the restricted free agent. Reimers season in Toronto didnt go as he planned, and its only natural for him to think scouts and general managers will be watching him in Minsk. "I assume so. I think theyre scouting everyone," Reimer said. "I think everyones taking a peek at whoever might have a contract up or might not, thats what theyre here to do. Any time youre playing, especially in a different situation, theyre watching to see how you react and respond. But in every NHL game theres scouts and GMs watching, too. Its just one of those things wherever youre playing competitively, people will be watching." Theres plenty for Tippett to watch for early in this tournament that could affect his plan going forward. On Thursday he kept the top line of Burrows, Turris and MacKinnon together from Tuesdays exhibition game and tinkered elsewhere. Nazem Kadri centred Cody Hodgson and Troy Brouwer, while Philadelphia Flyers teammates Brayden Schenn and Matt Read skated with Huberdeau. Chimera and Capitals teammate Ward remained together, and Tippett said hell keep an eye on having either Scheifele or Monahan between them. Because this tournament is such a "scramble" with so little preparation time, Tippett is just trying to get create some chemistry before the first puck drop. "Youve got to get your players in roles early," he said. "Always subject to change, but I think one of the most important factors of a tournament like this is you try to get everybody in their spots as quick as you can." That starts with establishing Bieksa as captain. Burrows voiced support for that choice because his Canucks teammate is good at bringing people together. "He keeps it fun, he likes to have a good time," Burrows said. "But at the same time when its time to work and do the right things, hes the first one to lead the way." Isaiah Canaan Suns Jersey . "Im proud, obviously. Its been a long day, but now Im a Crystal Palace player, Im very happy," Bannan said. "The seasons been started now for a couple of weeks and Ive not featured at Villa. Deandre Ayton Jersey . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Ricky-Rubio-City-Edition-Jersey/ . This game was inside. Adrian Peterson was missing. The stage was set for another step toward the playoffs. George King Jersey . Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round Saturday night, claiming the WBC heavyweight title belt vacated by Vitali Klitschko. Cheick Diallo Suns Jersey . Completely. Two days after releasing Peyton Manning, the longtime face of the franchise, the Colts announced they were cutting four fan favourites: running back Joseph Addai, linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvin Bullitt and tight end Dallas Clark.The Jamaican bobsled team may be headed to another Olympics. The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Olympic organizers said Saturday that Jamaica has qualified for the two-man competition at next months Sochi Games, though it remains unclear if the fledgling squad will get a chance to race. Funding is a serious problem and sled driver Winston Watts told The Associated Press on Saturday that hes trying to raise as much as $80,000 in the next couple weeks to cover travel and equipment costs. "Right now," Watts said, "were at zero." They are certainly among the worlds most storied bobsled teams, and that has little to do with results. Jamaica first competed in Olympic bobsledding in 1988 at the Calgary Games, a story that inspired the "Cool Runnings" film. For a nation lacking bobsled tradition, or snowy winters, Jamaica has often fared quite well on the international circuits. Its been 12 years since Jamaica has had a sled in the Olympics, with Watts finishing 28th at the Salt Lake City Games with Calgarys Lascelles Brown -- now a key part of Canadas national team. Brown won a medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, one where the Jamaicans were hoping to compete but were again thwarrted by funding issues.dddddddddddd Still, the 46-year-old Watts -- who called himself "retired" from sliding for nearly a decade -- has held on to hope of sliding again on the sports biggest stage. "Were pretty good," Watts said. "Were not there with the rest of the world, of course. But we if had some more sources for funding, wed have a better chance." He started the season thinking he could get a four-man sled ready for Sochi, before quickly realizing that was too expensive. His focus then shifted to the two-man sled and by racing in a number of lower-tier events at tracks in Park City, Lake Placid and Calgary in recent months, Watts and brakeman Marvin Dixon piled up enough points to get into the Olympic mix. Sochi officials tweeted word Saturday that the Jamaicans were in, but the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation -- the sports governing body -- is not expected to confirm before Sunday at the earliest how many nations qualified for the Olympic fields. Watts said hes confident that Jamaica is qualified. "Im not a person who likes to quit," Watts said. "I put my heart into it and I know for a fact that people are going to help this team." ' ' '