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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A year after Patrick Kanes career appeared in jeopardy because of a sexual assault claim, the Chicago Blackhawks star was named one of the alternate captains for the United States for the World Cup of Hockey. Nahuel Guzman Jersey .Its a huge honor for sure, Kane said. Its one of those things I dont know if I was expecting to receive that, but at the same time, I still think its a responsibility I can handle and hopefully take somewhat of a leadership role and take charge.The sexual assault case in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, was dropped Nov. 5 for what the prosecutor said was a clear lack of evidence, and Kane quickly put aside the off-ice troubles. He had an early 26-game points streak and became the first American-born player to win the Art Ross (top scorer) and Hart (most valuable player) trophies.Sometimes you look back, its almost like a blur, it went by so quick, he said. It didnt seem like it at the time, but it was a really fun year.Kane had 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) to become the first player to crack the 100-point mark in four seasons, and he finished 17 points ahead of runner-up Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars.He was on a roll early, got his confidence going and never looked back, said David Backes, the Boston Bruins center and U.S. teammate.Along the way, Kane might have grown up as well. The incident in Buffalo was the latest of several brushes with the law in his career.Im 27 years old. Im going to be 28 later this year; you want to maximize your potential, he said. You want to get all you can out of your prime while youre still young, maybe advance that prime into your later years, too. Thats where my thinking is now.U.S. and Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella knew Kanes reputation but did not know him before the Americans training camp opened Monday in the Ohio city.He has matured. We all see that, the coach said. A lot of things have gone on with him obviously. Just talking with him one-on-one here in the past couple of days you can see the maturity.Thats why Kane was named an alternate captain, along with the Minnesota Wilds Ryan Suter, to captain Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks.I want [Kane] to take more responsibility now, Tortorella said. Hes ready for more responsibility as a leader of a U.S. team where before it was Kaner, go play, and hes really good at it. I think hes ready for more responsibility, and Im ready to give it to him because he deserves it.The game has always come easy for Kane, who has won Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks in 2010, 13 and 15 and a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. But last season, he ascended to a different level.He was the best player in the league last year, said?Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty. Not many people can play the game the way he does. Hes special.Pacioretty, Kane and Pavelski form the top line for the U.S., and they need to come through for any chance of winning the eight-team tournament. The U.S plays World Cup favorite Canada in exhibition games Friday in Columbus and Saturday in Ottawa.The focus will be on Kane, but this time, for a good reason.I sometimes catch myself over the summer saying, OK, you did it once but can you do it again? Can you prove yourself again? Kane said. It gave me a little bit of motivation over the summer, a lot of motivation. I want to get back to the level, stay there and do it as long as I can. Its fun when youre producing like that on the ice. You feel awesome. Fernando Gago Argentina Jersey . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Gonzalo Higuain Argentina Jersey . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. http:///...Copa-America-Jersey/ . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Real Madrid and Wolfsburg became the first teams in this seasons Champions League to progress to the quarter-final stage. Ten-time European champions Real booked their place in the last eight with a straightforward, yet unconvincing, 2-0 victory over Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu, going through 4-0 on aggregate.It was an historic night for Bundesliga hopefuls Wolfsburg as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, overcoming Gent 4-2 on aggregate after a 1-0 second-leg victory at the Volkswagen Arena. Here, Sky Sports discusses five talking points after another night of European action...Bale looks bright on returnThe Welshman, who made a goalscoring return against Celta Vigo at the weekend, featured from the start for the first time since picking up a calf injury on January 17, and lasted just over an hour in a lively outing.He looked bright from the off, linking up well with Marcelo to create Reals first chance, and put in a series of dangerous crosses from the left flank. Gareth Bale made his first start for Real since January 17 Only Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, who both played 30 minutes longer, managed more key passes and in an end-to-end encounter. All that effort meant Bale visibly tired in the second half and he was replaced by Lucas Vazquez.His return makes Ronaldo happy, and thats key for Real as the Portuguese star again proved the difference on the night, while Bale now has plenty of time to rest up before a trip to Las Palmas on Sunday.Real back on track?Zinedine Zidanes side have bounced back with three straight wins after their derby defeat to Atletico Madrid on February 27, but the 2-0 win on Tuesday doesnt tell the whole story.Far from it in fact, because for an hour Roma made things extremely difficult for the Spanish giants. The Italians continually profited from Marcelos attacking instincts, as Mohamed Salah caused problems all evening down Reals left.He twice squandered one-on-one chances, while Edin Dzeko fired wide early on with only Keylor Navas to beat. Cristiano Ronaldo set Real on their way to the last eight with the opening goal The Real Madrid goalkeeper made fine saves from Alessandro Florenzi and Kostas Manolas before Real put the game beyond their opponents with two goals in four second-half minutes.Somehow, despite all that, Real Madrid have still not conceded a goal at home in the competition. On this evidence, theyll do well to extend that record.James responds to jeersAfter struggles with form and fitness, James received the backing of manager Zidane ahead of Tuesdays game, and the Colombian responded with an improved performance.It wasnt perfect, and the Bernabeu crowd threatened to turn after a misplaced cross at 0-0 failed to find an unmarked Ronaldo, but he took his goal neatly.The former Monaco man never shied away ddespite the jeers, taking 91 touches - second only to Kroos - and made the joint-most key passes and won the second-highest number of duels over the course of the evening. Diego Maradona Jersey. James Rodriguez silenced some of his critics with a goal against Roma But he also lost possession five times more than any of his Real Madrid team-mates, and throughout the first-half he looked on a different wavelength to Ronaldo.That changed after the break when Real took control, as James tested Wojciech Szczesny with an acrobatic scissor kick before firing under the Roma keeper for Reals second.It wasnt a performance to convince all the doubters, but its a start.Wolfsburg limp into last eightThe German side improved in the second half against Gent to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history, but they will have to up their game further if they are to progress again.Gent had more possession at the Volkswagen Arena, and seemed the more confident side in the first half as they looked to pick up from where they left off in the latter stages of the first leg. Andre Schurrle and team-mates celebrate Wolfsburgs progression Wolfsburgs attacking line-up - namely Andre Schurrle, Julian Draxler and Max Kruse - look threatening on paper, but they didnt move past second gear on Tuesday night.Is this the real, inconsistent Wolfsburg we have seen in the Bundesliga? Their performance against Manchester United in December suggests not, but in truth, they may be many sides desirable opponents in the last eight.Gents bright sparkGents best player, and perhaps the best player from either side on the night, was Moses Simon, the 20-year-old Nigerian forwarded previously linked with Tottenham in the British press.Despite his age, he has played 32 times for the Belgian side this season as they look for a second successive Pro League title, and on Tuesday night had Wolfsburg right-back Christian Trasch chasing shadows. Moses Simon was the stand-out player for Gent as they exited the competition He got past him with ease on four occasions on the left wing, with decent delivery to boot, but Gents lack of commitment in filling the box was their downfall in the second leg.To just about everyones surprise, he was brought off with 20 minutes remaining with the score goalless, but more performances like that and we could see more press links across Europe. Also See: Real ease in last eight Wolfsburg reach CL quarters Champions League fixtures Results ' ' '