Team Canada announced their roster for the Olympics in Saskatoon yesterday. The ridiculously talented squad is a heavy favorite to take the gold in Vancouver next year. Executive Director Steve Yzerman picked the players and now head coach Mike Babcock will lead the team the rest of the way.
Team Canada’s roster resembles an NHL All-Star team with the amount of stars they’ve collected. That’s probably why BetUS puts the odds of them winning the gold medal even with the rest of the field. Here’s a quick rundown of who made the team via The Hockey News:
Goaltenders
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: The 37-year-old veteran who backstopped Canada to gold in 2002 is the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts and remains at the top of his game.
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks: Brodeur’s rangy back-up from the 2006 Games is one of the world’s best when he gets hot.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins: The 25-year-old was probably out of the Olympic picture until his fine play in the Penguins’ Stanley Cup run in the spring.
Defence
Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks: Veteran of Tampa Bay’s 2004 Stanley Cup team is a strong rushing rearguard and power-play point man.
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings: Only turned 20 in August, but brings skill, a good shot and surprising maturity.
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks: Steady and poised, also adept at moving the puck.
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks: A 36-year-old leader, has Olympic gold, four Stanley Cups and remains among the NHL’s best skating defencemen.
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers: Six-foot-six with a mean streak, he brings a heavy shot and strong defensive zone play.
Brent Seabrook, Chicago: Keith’s more conservative defence partner has a strong two-way game.
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators: Big, skilled, tough and good on the point, the 24-year-old has become one of the NHL’s best all-around blue-liners.
Forwards
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins: Strong right-hand shooting faceoff man and penalty-killer also has offensive skill and can play centre or wing.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh: Skilled and intense centre, rivals Alex Ovechkin as the world’s best player.
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim: Six-foot-four centre scores and is a physical presence in the attacking zone.
Dany Heatley, San Jose: Rangy right-winger uses a long reach to be a top goal-scorer.
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: Tough, intense right winger can score and bang in the corners.
Patrick Marleau, San Jose: Quietly skilled two-way left-winger fits in subtly on the Sharks’ top line.
Brendan Morrow, Dallas Stars: Very strong winger on the boards and also has a scoring touch.
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: Big left-winger is among hockey’s best goal-scorers.
Corey Perry, Anaheim: Six-foot-three play-making winger meshes well with Gezlaf.
Mike Richards, Philadelphia: Hard-nosed centre is strong on penalty killing, skating and can score.
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes: Multi-skilled centre brings a large body and soft hands.
Joe Thornton, San Jose: Big, dominating centre has been an NHL playoff bust, but excels at international hockey.
Jonathan Toews, Chicago: A skilled play-making centre or winger who does many little things well, particularly faceoffs.
Tags: 2010 Olympics, gold medal, hockey, ice hockey, mike babcock, NHL, roster, steve yzerman, team canada, vancouver 2010 olympics
