WATCH: NHL players arrive in Sochi for 2014 Winter Olympics

WATCH: Team Canada arrives in Sochi and hits the ice for its first practice. Stuart Greer reports

TORONTO – NHL hockey players have begun arriving  in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

READ MORE: Sochi Olympics: Canada’s men’s hockey schedule 

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, along with other NHL hockey players, arrived at the Sochi International Airport Monday. More planes and players are expected to land over the next few hours.

READ MORE: Full medal count results from the 2014 Sochi Olympics

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Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, tweeted his arrival in Russian: “We are in Sochi!!”

After injury replacements and other late changes, 148 NHL players are on national-team rosters.

READ MORE: Olympics are recharge time for NHL players left behind

Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman is expected to address the media prior to the team hitting the ice for practice at 8 p.m. (local time) tonight.

GALLERY: Men’s hockey practice in Sochi

Canada opens play Thursday against Norway.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2014 WINTER OLYMPICS COVERAGE