Ice hockey - Ovechkin leads Russian bid for gold in Sochi

Dec 30, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Zack Smith (15) exchanges words with Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Capitals 3-1. Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was named in Russia's squad for next month's Olympics in Sochi while veteran defenseman Sergey Gonchar and forward Alexander Semin were surprise omissions from the 25-man roster.

Forward Ovechkin is among 15 NHL players named in the squad, but Russia's head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov is also banking on the strength of the domestic Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).