this season, despite the slow start.W

TORONTO -- Team North America will have to take on the powerful Russians without its best defenseman.Aaron Ekblad didnt dress for Monday nights World Cup of Hockey game because of an upper-body injury and was replaced in the lineup by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.According to an NHL source, Ekblads injury is a mild concussion.Ekblad led North America in ice time during its impressive 4-1 win over Finland on Sunday, finishing at 23:53. The former rookie of the year has played well in this tournament with partner Morgan Rielly and has been leaned on by coach Todd McLellan for the toughest assignments.Ekblad had 15 goals in 78 games last year for the Florida Panthers, finishing 16th in Norris voting at just 20 years of age. Elias Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Philippe Coutinho Jersey . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. http://www.soccerbrazilonline.com/Rafinha-Copa-America-Jersey/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Neymar Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Blank Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. DAVIE, Fla. -- The man in the middle of the Miami Dolphins years-long malaise is back, and wondering how long hell last.Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey returned to practice Tuesday after missing the first four games of the season because of a broken left hip that raised concerns about his career. It was his third hip injury since 2014.Talking to the doctors, all the what-ifs came into play, Pouncey said before practice. You start questioning how long you can play in the league and how physical this game is. Im fortunate to be back as fast as I am.When I first injured this hip, there was a lot of doubt in my mind -- would I ever come back and be the same player? I guess well see today.Pouncey, 27, acknowledged hes mindful of the long-term effects his injuries to both hips might have.We all have concerns long term, every guy that plays in the NFL, he said. But right now Im not too much concerned. I wouldnt put myself in the position to hurt myself or have a setback if I wasnt ready to play.Pouncey rejoins a team off to another slow start heading into Sundays game against Tennessee . The Dolphins are 1/3 in large part because of a sputtering offense that has had trouble running the ball and protecting Ryan Tannehill.Pouncey should help in both areas. Despite his health issues, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl each of the past three years, and might be Miamis best player.He can make a huge difference, Tannehill said. With the belief this team has in him, his work ethiic, the example he sets day in and day out at practice, as well as the player that he is, itll be great to have him back.dddddddddddd.A first-round draft pick from the University of Florida in 2011, Pouncey has yet to play on a winning team in Miami. Hes optimistic that can still change this season, despite the slow start.Weve been in this position before, he said. Its only four games in. Weve got 12 games left. Were looking forward to turning this season around and winning a bunch of games here.Pouncey had been sidelined since the second exhibition game against Dallas on Aug. 19.Some pile jumper from the Dallas Cowboys jumped on me, said Pouncey, who failed to get the players identity.He declined to predict whether hell play Sunday, although it seems likely barring a setback. He praised first-year coach Adam Gase for urging patience regarding the timetable.Even Miamis defensive players were happy about Pounceys return to practice.Obviously hes one of our leaders, and a guy that can obviously get the job done and play at a very high level and bring other guys around him, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. So Im excited to have him back.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/steven-wine ' ' '