12/21/24
December 30, 2009
Meet Team Canada:
After a year and a half of speculation, the roster has been set for the next Canadian Olympic Men's Hockey team. The players were announced in a 45 minute presentation, simultaneously broadcast on the two largest sports networks in Canada, one of Canada's largest television networks, across the largest Canadian radio network, and across multiple major Canadian internet websites.
Oh, the pressure on this squad!
As you imply by the breadth of the coverage of this announcement, grum ... it seems like ALL eyes in the nation are on this. Listening to talk radio over the past couple of days though, there are a lot of folks picking the Russian squad. Heck, there could be others that are gonna be tough to beat too. Canada is going to have to be flawless to have a shot at gold I'm thinkin' ... but a Canada-Russia final would be something to behold, wouldn't it?
I'll buy in ... Go CANADA Go (or how does that Pepsi-generated cheer go?)
posted by Spitztengle at 01:26 PM on December 30, 2009
Four Sharks out 23? Very nice!
posted by billsaysthis at 01:56 PM on December 30, 2009
Interesting that Yzerman picked Doughty over Bouwmeester for the smaller NHL sized surface. I think he made the right choice, but the D is made up of 4 prototypical puck movers and three stoppers. Going with Drew must've been a match-up decision.
The fact that Dion isn't on the team makes me smile.
posted by garfield at 01:58 PM on December 30, 2009
Surprising to see Pronger on there, let alone wearing the "A". One brain-cramp is all it will take and Olympic refereeing is going to favour quickness on D over brawn.
posted by rumple at 03:18 PM on December 30, 2009
Andy Brickley, commenting during a Bruins game on Monday, said (approximately) this about Patrice Bergeron: "As a Bruins fan you would like to see him named to the Canadian Olympic Team, but as an American, you sure hope he's not." While he does not have the same credentials as many of the others on the squad, he does a lot of things very well. I look for him to have a positive impact with one of the "little but essential" things such as a face-off win at a critical time.
posted by Howard_T at 05:08 PM on December 30, 2009
Three defensemen in Phaneuf, Green and Bouwmeester who prove how deep the defense on Team Canada is.
posted by dfleming at 08:09 PM on December 30, 2009
Paul Stastny
While Paul Stastny is a dual Canada/U.S. citizen, he has chosen to play internationally for the U.S.A.
posted by tommybiden at 08:46 PM on December 30, 2009
While Paul Stastny is a dual Canada/U.S. citizen, he has chosen to play internationally for the U.S.A.
D'oh! I used to know that. Ah, we wouldn't have wanted him anyways!
posted by grum@work at 08:51 PM on December 30, 2009
While Paul Stastny is a dual Canada/U.S. citizen, he has chosen to play internationally for the U.S.A.
Hmmm ... isn't this why (some) Canucks feel a bit slighted by "The Golden" Brett Hull?
posted by Spitztengle at 10:12 PM on December 30, 2009
Hmmm ... isn't this why (some) Canucks feel a bit slighted by "The Golden" Brett Hull?
Meh, I don't know anyone who feels slighted by Brett's choice. It was exactly that, a choice.
Hockey Canada wasn't exactly beating a path to his door, and the U.S. National team offered him a spot.
Stevie Y is a dual citizen, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if one or two of the players named to Team Canada today are as well, or a member of the coaching staff.
posted by tommybiden at 10:24 PM on December 30, 2009
Meh, I don't know anyone who feels slighted by Brett's choice
That's why I was clear to say "(some) Canucks" ...
Honestly, I'm still a HUGE supporter of competing under only one flag at the Olympics ... the Olympic flag.
but until that happens, I'll still get behind the Canadian one
Just gotta be ready for disappointment ... the build-up, anticipation, and expectation for the Canadian squads to perform on home soil is pretty huge.
posted by Spitztengle at 10:47 PM on December 30, 2009
I've seen Phaneuf play quite a few times in Columbus and I have to say he's not a heady guy, he doesn't keep his emotions in check either, and I could see why they might have picked a defensive specialist instead.
What I don't get is why no Mike Green.
Steve Mason - too young, having a really weak and protypically difficult sophomore year, so I have no problems there.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:25 PM on December 30, 2009
Re: Mike Green
Great offensive player and a power play specialist, but just isn't good enough in his own end. And with potential injuries, it doesn't do well to pick specialists. I like the Doughty selection a lot. That kid is a stud.
Bergeron is a great choice, because he can win a faceoff, play either wing and kill penalties if needed. Lot of skills that can be of use on this team.
It's a good team on paper - but it's always a good team on paper.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:58 PM on December 30, 2009
Bergeron should be on the shut down defensive trio along with Richards and Morrow.
The Sharks that kill together will stay together.
Same with the Ducks, plus Staal who apparently is thriving on the wing at the moment...
That leaves Crosby Nash and Toews.
Why couldn't Stevie Y pick some player with Young or Stills as a last name? Canada is now doomed to win silver.
posted by garfield at 09:14 AM on December 31, 2009
Why couldn't Stevie Y pick some player with Young or Stills as a last name? Canada is now doomed to win silver.
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three linemates
They are for each other
I doubt they do the harmonies very well, though.
posted by dfleming at 10:03 AM on December 31, 2009
It'll be Crosby, Nash and Iginla. Toews is the 13th guy I'd imagine.
(And Brad Richards isn't on the team, Garf.)
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:56 PM on December 31, 2009
I present to you, the following roster:
G: Steve Mason, Dwayne Roloson, Christobal Huet
D: Mike Green, Dion Phaneuf, Jay Bouwmeester, Adam Foote, Sheldon Souray, Ed Jovanovski, Marc-Andre Bergeron
F: Shane Doan, Ryan Smith, Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, Jeff Carter, Patrick Sharp, Mike Fisher, Steven Stamkos, Mason Raymond, Dustin Penner, Mike Cammalleri, John Tavares, Paul Stastny
That would be considered Canada's B team, as none of them made the Olympic roster.
However, you can bet that none of them will express the same disappointment that other players have. If there is an injury (which happened to Scott Niedermayer in 2006), then one of them might get the call as an injury replacement.