LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Steve Stricker became the third and final assistant on U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watsons staff, an honour that came with just a hint of regret. "I feel old," Stricker said shortly after the announcement was made at Valhalla Golf Club, where hes playing in the PGA Championship. "The way my body feels make feel old, too." The 47-year-old Stricker played on the last three U.S. teams. But watching from the sidelines this time wont diminish his desire for revenge. He was left standing on the 18th green at Medinah in 2012, when Martin Kaymer of Germany sealed the win for Europe with a putt for a 1-up win in the match. "Theres a bunch of guys who want to try to get that cup back," Stricker said. He joins Raymond Floyd, 71, and fellow Wisconsin native Andy North, 64, as Watsons assistants. Given his friendship with North, Stricker was asked how the two would divvy up responsibilities when the matches are contested Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland. "Hes the big cheese," Stricker laughed. "Hes always been big cheese in Wisconsin." Stricker also played five times at the Presidents Cup, where his low-key personality made him a good match and frequent playing partner for Tiger Woods. Though he was also part of Woods foursome during Wednesdays practice, Stricker never mentioned being selected as an assistant. "He didnt tell me," said Woods. "I guess he was focused on his game. "I think its great," added Woods, who is still angling for a spot on the Ryder Cup team as a wild-card pick. "Because Strick is not only a good guy, hes also one of our peers. ... I think its important to have someone who is out here on a regular basis, who knows the guys, knows their personalities, knows their games inside and out. I think thats well deserved." For his part, Stricker said twice that he wanted Woods on the team -- provided his oft-injured back isnt a problem. "We know how important he is in the game of golf, and how good a match play player he is; when you really do need him, hell be there," Stricker said. "So well see. Well see how it plays out this week. Hopefully hes healthier and he can get his game going." In making the announcement, Watson, who turns 65 next month, couldnt help tickling his newly named assistant on the age issue. When someone pointed out to Watson that Stricker was "obviously of a different generation to the other two vice captains that youve selected," the captain cut the question off. Turning to Stricker, he said, "Are you a different generation than North?" "A couple generations," Stricker replied, to a round of laughter. Tony Parker Jersey . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. 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Cheap Hornets Jerseys . -- What Anthony Jennings lacked in experience, LSU more than compensated for with a talented supporting cast in the Outback Bowl.The NHL has not decided whether to let its players participate in the Olympics beyond this year, casting doubt on who will be competing for hockey gold in four years. With the league set to push pause on its season for next months Sochi Olympics, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly also is allowing for the possibility of a security issue that could keep the players from travelling to Russia at all. "As of now, we do not doubt that all necessary steps are being taken by the Sochi Organizing Committee, the Russian government and the IOC to ensure the safety of the athletes and guests in Sochi," Daly wrote Monday in an email to The Associated Press. "Obviously, if something significant were to transpire between now and February 9 that causes us to question that conclusion, we will re-evaluate. I dont expect that that will become necessary." Russian security has been looking for three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is believed to be in Sochi. The country has assembled what is believed to be the biggest security operation ever for an Olympics with more than 50,000 police and soldiers. "The NHLPA continues to be in contact with Olympic and security officials regarding plans for the Olympic Games in Sochi, and will work closely with all concerned to monitor matters in advance of and during the Games," NHL Players Association spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon wrote in an email. Swedens Daniel Alfredsson has competed in each of the last four Olympics with players from the league and is looking forward to a fifth and probably final time next month. The 41-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward said it would be "bad" for the NHL to take the unique experience away from its players in the future. "Its an unbelievable experience," Alfredsson said. The NHL and the players association will decide on future Olympic participation after Sochi, just as they have done since the top players started participating in the games in 1998. League officials just arent sure freezing their league for two-plus weeks in the middle of the season is good for business -- especially when the Olympics are not in the U.S. or Canada. "The North American experiences have been better than far-away Olympics for a host reasons, including exposure," Daly said in a recent interview with the AP. "When you have a North American-based Olympics, you can have a shorter period without NHL games. Were going to have the longest break weve ever had, and that could interruppt momentum for teams and have an effect on their competitiveness based on how many players they have playing, and how many injuries they have in Sochi.dddddddddddd" The NHL had 150 of its players -- at least one for each of the 12 countries in the tournament -- picked to play. The league will not have any games from Feb. 9 through Feb. 24, a 16-day window that is between major American sporting events: the Super Bowl and the NCAA mens college basketball tournament. Instead of directly benefiting from the decreased competition for time and money from casual fans, the league can only hope that allowing its players to be in the Olympics draws more people to the game. "There are potential negative impacts with participating midseason in the Olympics and that factors into the overall analysis of whether its a good idea for us to go or not," Daly said. When the Sidney Crosby-led Canadians beat the Americans for gold four years ago in Vancouver, nearly 35 million people watched on TV. "Its pretty obvious to say its good for the game," Chicago Blackhawks and U.S. forward Patrick Kane said. But even if theres a rematch in the gold-medal game on Feb. 23, the audience likely will be much smaller because the puck is scheduled to drop at 4 p.m. in Sochi and at 7 a.m. or earlier in North America. Would the NHL let its players compete in the Winter Olympics only when theyre held in North America? "I dont think thats where we would go, but I wouldnt rule it out," Daly said. Players, seemingly universally, want to play in the Winter Olympics for the sixth straight time in 2018 in South Korea -- and beyond. The NHL and NHL Players Association have been in talks about bringing back the World Cup of Hockey that wouldnt conflict with the leagues regular season. Daly said the NHL and NHLPA are both in favour of creating a uniform international calendar. "A World Cup should clearly play a part in that," Daly said. NHL players, meanwhile, dont want a World Cup of Hockey -- perhaps every two years -- to replace an opportunity to play in the Olympics. "The World Cup would be cool, but the Olympics are something else," said Swedish and Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, who was picked to play for his country in a second straight Olympics. "Its all the best athletes in all the sports in one place, trying to get gold. To take the best hockey players out of the Olympics would be wrong and would be a shame." ' ' '