so the players could train together and build camaraderie while being close

The San Jose Sharks signed centre Joe Pavelski to a five-year, $30 million contract extension on Tuesday. Pavelski has one year remaining on his current deal at $4 million. Last season, the 29-year-old finished with 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 48 games for the Sharks. "Joe has been an important part of our success over the last several years and we are excited to have him with our club for the next six seasons," said Sharks general manager Doug Wilson. Pavelski has recorded 336 points in 479 career NHL games with San Jose. The Wisconsin native was originally selected by San Jose in the seventh round (205th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Cheap Jerseys From China . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". http://www.wholesalejerseysnfl.net/ . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Take a glance at the Olympic roster for the United States womens field hockey team, and youll notice a recurring theme -- 12 of the 25 players on the undefeated squad are from Pennsylvania.The states success in the sport goes back decades. Beth Anders, the leading overall womens scorer at the 1984 Olympics, is from Norristown. Ten of the 16 players on that bronze-medal winning team were from Pennsylvania.The Americans now seek their first medal since that run in Los Angeles. They play Britain on Saturday to determine which team will win Pool B. After that, theyll play in the quarterfinals.If the United States returns to the podium, the Keystone State will have played a major role. The top American standouts at this years games -- forward Katie Bam (Blue Bell) and goalie Jackie Briggs (Robesonia) -- are from there.To a large degree, its self-fulfilling, USA field hockey executive director Simon Hoskins said. The elite players become elite coaches in that area, and they help develop the next generation of athletes. Its been a virtuous cycle of ever-improving hockey, and now were at this level that -- we can compete with anyone. Were world-beaters right now, which is great to see.Other players on the roster from Pennsylvania are Ali Campbell (Gilbertsville), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown), Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg), Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville), Alyssa Manley (Lititz), sisters Julia and Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie), Paige Selenski (Shavertown), Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic) and Jill Witmer (Lancaster). All are from the eastern third of the state.Pennsylvanias success prompted the national program to move its headquarters to Lancaster in 2013. U.S. coach Craig Parnham said the training site was moveed from Chula Vista, California, so the players could train together and build camaraderie while being close to family and friends.dddddddddddd The facility, about a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, is appropriately named the Home of Hockey.Pennsylvania has the infrastructure to help young players develop -- Bam said she had a stick in her hands when she was 3 and began playing at 7. The Pennsylvania group grew up in the culture, which has only become stronger as it has blossomed together.I think the competition when youre growing up breeds it, Falgowski said. I think always playing at a high level against good competition -- a lot of us grew up playing against each other. I think 10, 20 years of doing that together really raises the bar, and the competitive spirit within us really wants to challenge each other and play as best we can.Pennsylvania is so heavily represented at the games, in part, because the sport hasnt caught on to the same degree beyond the east coast.That could change in the future. Hoskins said USA Field Hockey has grown from a 15,000-member organization to 25,000 in the past five years, with most of the growth in places such as Chicago, St. Louis and Houston and parts of California and Colorado.Our mission is to serve our members, grow the game and compete internationally, he said. By succeeding internationally, by performing in the Olympic Games, by exposing our beautiful sport to more people across America, we would love it to grow, and make it a great way to inspire young female and male athletes to play our game.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP ' ' '