Canada has been anticipating another Olympic gold since Hockey Canada invited 46 NHL athletes to Team Canada Camp in August. The men’s Olympic hockey roster was revealed Dec. 30. The final choices were made with much debate as Steve Yzerman, Team Canada’s executive director, laid awake at night wondering how he was going to make the necessary cuts. The 46 camp invitees are all accomplished and successful NHL players, which made the final roster that much harder to finalize.
Goaltenders Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Marc-Andre Fluery of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks were unsurprising final selections. All three have been thrust into leadership roles on their respective teams. Brodeur has participated in three Olympics, won two Stanley cups, and has been a leader in the dressing room. He is also the new leader of the shutout record with 105, surpassing Terry Sawchuk’s record of 103 which stood safe for 39 years. Marc-Andre Fleury has participated in three Stanley Cup playoffs, two Stanley Cup finals, and won his first Stanley Cup last year. He was also a participant in the World Junior Championships. Roberto Luongo has been struggling this season after an injury and the disappointing playoff elimination last season. Some would say he’s Canada’s goalie, but he cracked under the playoff pressure which is why he sits in the third goalie slot.
The most surprising addition to the team’s roster would be 20-year old Drew Doughty of the LA Kings. He had a breakout season after being drafted second overall and continues to avoid the sophomore slump. This is an incredible opportunity for Doughty, and by all means he earned the spot. Chris Pronger, of the Philadelphia Flyers, had a bit of a rocky start to his season, but has since worked through it. He is a great leader and will be a great addition to the locker room aside Dan Boyle (San Jose Sharks) and Shea Weber (Nashville Predators). Mike Green of the Washington Capitals set a world record of eight consecutive power play goals last year but was left off the roster. Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames is a hard-hitting favourite, but was still cut. Stephane Robidas of the Dallas Stars holds 27 points in 41 games, and as a defenceman that is an accomplishment, yet he was left out. The defence is solid, although an alternate defence made up of the cuts would be just as strong.
Canada is stacked with locker room leaders. The captain Scott Niedermayer is an accomplished defenceman who has proven he knows how to win with four Stanley Cups under his belt. You can argue the other NHL captains on this team—Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, Mike Richards, and the 13th forward, Jonathan Toews—are just as qualified. Sidney Crosby was the favourite to captain the team. The question in everyone’s mind was how the older and more experienced captains would respond to a 22-year-old running their team. Crosby has been a key component to all the teams he’s played for and been a clutch teammate in Junior, World Junior, and most importantly, two Stanley Cup Finals. Ultimately the choice was always between Crosby and Niedermayer coming down to the experience Scott Niedermayer possesses.
Up top, the goal scorers for Team Canada could easily be replaced if need be. Patrice Bergeron has played such a standout first half of his Boston Bruin season that he was named to the roster. He was not invited to the camp in the summer, but had enough success to be too good to pass up. He missed 72 regular season and playoff games in 2007-2008 with a concussion, but has bounced back with enough jump to impress Yzerman. Bergeron recently fractured three bones in his hand, which will greatly affect his performance if he does not stay in shape while on the injured reserve. Being left out of this roster is a hard pill to swallow as this opportunity may never come up again for these players.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jordan Staal was the most worthy player left off the roster. He is a miracle worker on the penalty kill with his long reach and tremendous speed. At just 21 years, he is a threat for his short-handed goals every time he kills a penalty. Because of his age, other players overshadowed his leadership, hard working attitude, and great talent. Additionally, Mike Fisher, also left off the roster, hasn’t been spoken about too much, but he has been playing some of the best hockey of his career with the Ottawa Senators. He has racked up 32 points in 40 games and shined as a leader. Ryan Smyth of the LA Kings was a shoo-in for the team until he was injured. An injury was enough to scrap a player from the running since the Canadian talent pool is too large to begin with.
Of all the great NHL players available for selection, the chosen roster is almost spotless. Steve Yzerman picked 26 Canadians deserving and worthy of wearing the red and white maple leaf on their chests. In February, the real test will come for the Canadian selections as they start their quest for Gold.
