The San Jose Sharks will enter training camp without a captain or any assistants. Bill Lee Jersey . Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said he didnt consider the move to be stripping former captain Joe Thornton of the "C" because the veteran would have an opportunity to earn the designation back. "Were starting this year with a clean slate," said McLellan. "Coming into training camp, everyone is starting with no equity – from rookies through all of the veterans." Patrick Marleau will also have the "A" removed from his jersey. Thornton had served the Sharks captain since taking the position over from Rob Blake in 2010. Blake served for one year after Marleau was the teams captain from 2004-09. Speaking to the San Jose Mercury News late on Wednesday, Thornton expressed his surprise at the decision. "Its a big honour, and its a big responsibility," Thornton said, "so its a little strange when they take it away from you." For Marleau, the move represents a chance to prove his worth to the organization. "I will do what I have always done," Marleau told the newspaper. "Play hard, be professional on and off the ice, lead by example. That is why I will be wearing a letter after training camp." McLellan told the Mercury News that the competition to earn the leadership roles is wide open. "Thornton could end up being the captain. I dont know, none of us know," McLellan said. "If its real evident hes the guy, hell be the captain. If theres somebody else that assumes that role and is prepared to take it on and doing a very good job, then hell be." The Sharks were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season after blowing a 3-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Kings. Surgery for Torres The Sharks also announced on Wednesday that forward Raffi Torres had a second surgery on his right knee to fight an infection and will eventually need a third procedure to repair ACL damage. The team said that Torres will return during the coming season but there is no timeline yet. Torres missed all but five regular season games in 2013-14 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in the preseason. Tony Conigliaro Jersey . The 57-year-old Tietjens has coached New Zealand to nine IRB World Sevens titles and to four Commonwealth Games gold medals as its only coach in the professional era. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics. Heath Hembree Jersey . Rico dove horizontally to meet Andoni Iraolas precise long cross from the right to score his second league goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Aritz Aduriz netted Bilbaos second when he raced forward and pounced on a poor clearance by Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, sending a low shot rolling past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. http://www.cheapredsoxjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-steve-pearce-jersey . -- Adam Tambellini scored three times and set up one more as the Calgary Hitmen won their sixth in a row by crushing the host Lethbridge Hurricanes 8-1 on Saturday in Western Hockey League play.Where will this seasons domestic silverware be heading? Nothing will be decided this weekend, but well learn much more about the likely winners of the Premier League title and the FA Cup after the next round of fixtures.League leaders Leicester host Swansea on Super Sunday and Tottenham will hope to see them slip up ahead of their home game against West Brom on Monday Night Football. Plus there are two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley and important fixtures in the race for the top four and the relegation battle.Heres what will be answered by 10pm on Monday evening...Can City steal a march on United? (Manchester City v Stoke City - Saturday, 12.45pm, live on Sky Sports 1)With Manchester United playing Everton in an FA Cup semi-final this weekend, Manchester City know a win will take them a huge step closer to securing a top-four place.A win for City over Mark Hughes side would take them five points ahead of United, who do not play again in the league until the following weekend - against Leicester City. Stoke boss Mark Hughes thinks players dont understand current guidance on holding in the penalty area City have struggled since Manuel Pellegrini announced he will be leaving at the end of the season, but they have hit their stride in recent weeks, buoyed by their Champions League win over PSG, and will fancy their chances against a Stoke side who have conceded eight goals in their last two games.That porous defence bodes well for Sergio Aguero, who has hit 22 goals this season and is battling Jamie Vardy (22) and Harry Kane (24) at the top of the scoring charts. Will Southampton make a late push for Europe? (Aston Villa v Southampton - Saturday, 3pm) Are Victor Wanyama and Southampton on the rise? Ronald Koeman knows his side must win all four of their remaining games if they are to stand any chance of securing European football this season.A trip to Aston Villa, who are already relegated after nine consecutive defeats, should provide the ideal springboard for the Dutchman, whose side drew 1-1 with Everton last time out. Three points would be the ideal boost ahead of matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.For Aston Villa, relegated last weekend after their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, this match will test Joleon Lescotts weight off the shoulders theory, as the home side seek to restore some pride.Can Rafa Benitez inspire Newcastle on his Anfield return? (Liverpool v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pm) Benitez returns to Anfield this weekend It is almost six years since Rafael Benitez departed Liverpool and his first return as an opposition manager could hardly be bigger as he tries to save Newcastle United from relegation.The Magpies are, belatedly, showing signs of life under the Spaniard, who arrived on Tyneside last month. His first win, 3-0 over Swansea at St James Park, was followed by a creditable draw with Manchester City on Tuesday night that left Newcastle two points behind 17th-placed Norwich City.With Norwich not playing this weekend, and Sunderland hosting Arsenal, a win for Newcastle at Anfield could take them out of the bottom three with three games of their season remaining.That looks a mountainous task against a Liverpool side who are flying under Jurgen Klopp and have scored 14 goals in their last four games. It is, however, the sort of occasion Benitez thrives on.Will Bournemouth do the double over Chelsea? (Bournemouth v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pm) Bournemouth have already beaten Chelsea this season Bournemouths 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in December was just one step on what has been a remarkable debut season for Eddie Howes side in the Premier League.A top-10 finish is not out of the question for Bournemouth - an incredible achievement for a team who, at the start of the season, were widely tipped to drop straight back into the Championship.Eddie Howes side have been magnificent, playing without fear and ruling themselves out of the relegation battle long before they reached the 40-point mark.Now they can do the double over Chelsea, whose campaign is fizzling out following elimination from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and the FA Cup by Everton, and will almost certainly not be playing European football next season.Are Sunderland set for another great escape? (Sunderland v Arsenal - Sunday, 2.05pm, live on Sky Sports 1) Can Big Sam rescue Sunderland from relegation? Sunderland fans believe again. After last weekends 3-0 win over relegation rivals Norwich City breathed new life into their season, the Black Cats can sense another unlikely escape under the guidance of Sam Allardyce.Jermain Defoe will be key to their survival hopes. The veteran striker has scored 16 goals this season, incluuding three in his last five matches, and will be Sunderlands most dangerous weapon again. Carlton Fisk Jersey. Arsenal will be buoyed by their fine recent record at the Stadium of Light. Arsene Wengers side have won on their last four league visits to Sunderland. How will Leicester cope without Jamie Vardy? (Leicester City v Swansea - Sunday, 4.15pm, live on Sky Sports 1) How will Ranieris Leicester cope without top scorer Vardy? Weve been saying it just about every weekend since the turn of the year - but this really is a huge, HUGE, weekend for Claudio Ranieris title-chasers.Leicesters lead at the Premier League summit was cut to five points after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by West Ham United last weekend. Tottenhams 4-0 win over Stoke City on Monday night was a real statement of intent and put the pressure right back on to Leicester.Plus, now they will have to cope without their top-scorer. Jamie Vardy has played every single one of Leicesters 34 league matches this season - scoring 22 goals, the joint-most in the league - but his red card against the Hammers means he will miss the clash against Francesco Guidolins side.That adds even more pressure for Leicester on what could be the defining weekend in the title race. Can Mauricio Pochettinos men turn the screw? (Tottenham v West Bromwich Albion - Monday, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1) Tottenham Hotspur are in sparkling form Tottenhams 4-0 demolition of Stoke City on Monday night was a ruthless display - they looked every inch Premier League champions.Mauricio Pochettinos men have been building a head of steam and they have lost just once in the league since January. They have scored the most goals (64), conceded the fewest (25) and had the most shots on target (234). Quite simply, the men from White Hart Lane look unstoppable.Fuelled by the goals of Harry Kane, the likes of Dele Alli, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen have the bit between the teeth. They show no signs of slowing down and, after the clash with the Baggies, Spurs play Chelsea, Southampton and Newcastle. Can Roberto Martinez ease the pressure? (Everton v Manchester United - Saturday, 5.15pm) Roberto Martinez told Sky Sports he will not have to motivate his team for Saturdays FA Cup semi-final Evertons humiliating defeat in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night felt like a turning point for Roberto Martinez. It felt like the moment he lost the fans.Everton were not just beaten by Liverpool, they were utterly broken, producing a display lacking quality, urgency and desire, and at full-time Martinez struggled for answers.Evertons season - and Martinezs future - now rests on the FA Cup. Quite simply, if they lose to Manchester United at Wembley, it is hard to see a way back for the manager.Even if Everton win, the questions around Martinez are unlikely to go away, such as how can a side containing such talents as Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Seamus Coleman be so badly off the pace? For Martinez, even a win at Wembley may only be a stay of execution.Is Alan Pardew heading for another FA Cup Final? (Crystal Palace v Watford - Sunday, 4pm) Alan Pardew admits his side may have had one eye on their FA Cup semi-final clash with Watford after losing 2-0 to Manchester United Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is no stranger to FA Cup finals - but he is yet to taste glory in one.He was part of the Palace team that faced Manchester United in the classic 1990 Final, only to miss out to Lee Martins goal in the replay after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Wembley.As manager, he guided West Ham to the 2006 final at Cardiffs Millennium Stadium and was moments from glory before Steven Gerrards injury-time equaliser forced a 3-3 draw and Liverpool would take the trophy on penalties.Will it be third time lucky? In order to get there, his improving Palace side must overcome Watford in Sundays Wembley semi-final. 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