The San Jose Sharks will enter training camp without a captain or any assistants. Trey Burton 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. Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey .Y. - The New York Rangers have reached a one-year contract extension with goalie Cam Talbot, keeping Henrik Lundqvists backup away from unrestricted free agency. James Daniels Bears Jersey . The whole deflation of New England Patriots footballs is like a murder mystery without the violence or significance. On one side, this is a ridiculous issue.TORONTO -- Toronto Marlies coach Steve Spott challenged his leadership group following an embarrassing 4-3 loss Saturday afternoon to the Rochester Americans. The Marlies responded Sunday, as Sam Carrick led the way with two goals in a 3-2 win over the Utica Comets that clinched Torontos third straight North Division title. "I think if its necessary, we can take the criticism, we can live with that," said alternate captain Korbinian Holzer. "I think thats part of the business. Im fine with it. Were all grown ups." Kenny Ryan had the other goal for the Marlies (42-22-6). Rookie defenceman Eric Knodel picked up his first two AHL points. Garret Sparks made 23 saves for his 10th win of the season, helping ensure the Marlies will finish no lower than the third seed in the Western Conference. Toronto became just the sixth team in history to clinch a division title in three consecutive years. "Im very proud of our whole staff," Spott said. "All of my support staff, the coaches, obviously Piero (Greco) our goaltending coach, our trainers, our equipment people. Everybodys worked so hard. "Not a lot of people gave our hockey club much of an opportunity to make to even make the playoffs, nonetheless win the division. Very proud of our group." With goaltender Joe Cannata pulled for an extra attacker, Cal OReilly got Utica to within one with 43.5 seconds remaining. But Toronto held on for the win this time. On Saturday, Toronto allowed two goals in a 15 second span during the final minute of play to fall to the Rochester Americans 4-3. Pascall Pelletier had the other goal for Utica (31-30-9) while Cannata made 33 saves in the loss. The win helped Toronto avoid losing its third straight for just the second time this season. The Marlies improve to 3--2-0 in the season series with one game remaining between the two clubs. James Daniels Jersey. "We know when we dont have our best game," said Holzer. "Its about us pulling the group together, keeping everybody accountable and I think the whole team did a good job today. We responded to the last two (losses) especially defensively, we did a better job." With Comets forward Alexandre Grenier in the box serving a double-minor for high sticking, Carrick scored on the rebound off a Knodel point shot for his 10th goal of the season, giving Toronto a 3-1 lead at 7:40 of the third. The Marlies scored twice on their first three shots of the game. Carrick opened the scoring at 3:06 getting a couple of chances at his own rebound before beating Cannata for his ninth of the season. With his assist on the goal, Knodel picked up his first career AHL point. Ryan made it 2-0 backhanding a shot over the shoulder of Cannata at 4:49. The Comets got on the board at 16:59 of the second period, on a power play, as Pelletier put a Brandon DeFazio feed past a sprawling Sparks for his 18th of the season. Utica is five points back of Rochester for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Toronto sets out on their final road trip of the season -- a five-game, eight-day trip beginning Friday in Rochester, N.Y. The Marlies and Comets play for a sixth and final time this season on April 18 in Utica, N.Y. Notes: Goaltender Drew MacIntyre, who was with the Maple Leafs on emergency recall, was reassigned to the Marlies Sunday morning. MacIntyre was a healthy scratch as Christopher Gibson backed-up Sparks. Marlies forward Fabrice Herzog made his professional debut on a line with Carter Ashton and Greg McKegg while defenceman Zach Yuen made his AHL debut paired with T.J. Brennan. Cheap Arizona Cardinals JerseysCheap Falcons JerseysCheap Ravens JerseysCheap Bills JerseysCheap Panthers JerseysCheap Bears JerseysCheap Bengals JerseysCheap Browns JerseysCheap Cowboys JerseysCheap Broncos JerseysCheap Lions JerseysCheap Packers JerseysCheap Texans JerseysCheap Colts JerseysCheap Jaguars JerseysCheap Chiefs Jerseys ' ' '