Hockey

Canada's Olympic hockey captains have sent off a letter to the nation's troops in Afghanistan, thanking them for their service and promising to use them as inspiration at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Addressed to troops in Kandahar, the letter is signed by men's team captain Scott Niedermayer, women's captain Hayley Wickenheiser and sledge hockey captain Jean Labonté.

"People throw out words like war and battle way too often when speaking about sports such as hockey," the letter reads. "As athletes, we know that what we do for our country can never measure up to your contributions ‐ the sacrifice and dedication that our armed forces show on a daily basis.

"When we take to the ice, rest assured that we will have you in our thoughts and prayers."

The troops plan to have it enlarged and posted at the base there for the soldiers to read during the Games.

"It was Hockey Canada's idea, and they asked if I would do it and I said of course I would," said Niedermayer. "The military sacrifices a lot for the country.

"Obviously there is a lot of attention on the athletes right now with the Olympics coming close, so we tried to do a special thing so not to forget those guys and girls that are out there doing a tough, tough job."