Team Canada World Championship Roster
It’s hard to believe with the playoffs going on that we will have more Team Canada Hockey coming up! The 16 team tournament begins on May 7th and goes all the way until May 23rd. The following are a list of the pools:
Pool A: Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Kazakhstan
Pool B: Canada, Switzerland, Latvia, Italy
Pool C: Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway, France
Pool D: Finland, USA, Germany, Denmark
I think it is safe to say that Canada should win their group! The Team Canada brass released their roster recently and one of the biggest things that jumps out at you is the youth involved in this years team. Personally I think it is a great idea as we will hopefully see many of these players play for Canada in future Olympics (should the NHL allow their players to continue participation).
Goalies
| Name | Current Team | |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Mason | St. Louis Blues | |
| Chad Johnson | New York Rangers |
Defense
| Name | Current Team | |
|---|---|---|
| Francois Beauchemin | Toronto Maple Leafs | |
| Brent Burns | Minnesota Wild | |
| Michael Del Zotto | New York Rangers | |
| Mark Giordano | Calgary Flames | |
| Tyler Myers | Buffalo Sabres | |
| Marc Staal | New York Rangers | |
| Kyle Cumisky | Colorado Avalanche | |
| Kris Russell | Columbus Blue Jackets |
Forwards
| Name | Current Team | |
|---|---|---|
| Rene Bourque | Calgary Flames | |
| Steve Downie | Tampa Bay Lightning | |
| Matt Duchene | Colorado Avalanche | |
| Evander Kane | Atlanta Thrashers | |
| Brooks Laich | Washington Capitals | |
| Steve Ott | Dallas Stars | |
| Corey Perry | Anaheim Ducks | |
| Rich Peverley | Atlanta Thrashers | |
| Ryan Smyth | Los Angeles Kings | |
| Steven Stamkos | Tampa Bay Lightning | |
| Ray Whitney | Carolina Hurricanes | |
| John Tavares | New York Islanders | |
| Jordan Eberle | Regina Pats |
Show your Team Canada support with some great Canada Jerseys.
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Celebrate the Team Canada victory with Gold Medal gear
Celebrate Team Canada’s gold medal win with t-shirts and hats commemorating the great accomplishment!
Team Canada Olympic Champions Hat
To commemorate the Team Canada Men’s Gold Medal victory in the 2010 Winter Olympics this Champs Cap by Nike features:
- 98% nylon, 2% polyurethane
- Structured Cap
- 3D embroidered team mark on center front with Gold colored trim
- Embroidered eyelets and soft Dri-FIT fabric sweatband
- Embroidered OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS and Vancouver 2010 logo on back
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Team Canada Olympic Champions Shirt
To commemorate the Team Canada Men’s Gold Medal victory in the 2010 Winter Olympics this Champs Tee by Nike features:
- 100% cotton tee
- Team logo screen printed at center front with gold colored trim
- Olympic Champions Vancouver 2010 printed below the Team Canada logo
- Screen printed Vancouver 2010 Olympic logo on the back of the neck
- Nike swoosh above logo
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Canada wins!
I won’t bother writing much as I think everyone was thrilled with the outcome of the game. The US made it close, but Canada showed enormous heart. I can’t imagine how low they felt during the 3rd intermission break after surrendering the tying goal with 20 some seconds to go. But like ALL Canadians, they showed perseverance and came through when it mattered.
Way to go Canada, way to go!
Time to get the Gold!
With only half an hour until puck drop, the excitement and anticipation is beginning to build already. Outside of Canada/Russia, this was the game that most Canadians wanted. Combine that with the fact that we lost in the first game to the American squad, this would act as a great redemption. The game should be watched my millions worldwide and I anticipate that the ratings will be better than NCAA Final Four, and World Series games.
It’s amazing to me that if we combined the American and Canadian rosters that we would probably only use a maximum of 4 American players on Team Canada. I would take Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Ryan Miller, and possibly Ryan Malone. Of course one of the players I would choose happens to be playing the most important position…goalie. Team Canada outshot the Americans really bad in the last game, but Miller held them in tact. If Miller gets hot again, we could see the same thing. I believe if we play the exact same game and don’t let in soft goals that we will be fine and bring home the gold.
Prediction: Canada 4 USA 2
Go Canada Go!
Olympic Hockey at its best!
Olympic Hockey at its best
Yesterday was one of the best days of hockey that I can remember is quite some time. Would I be signing a different tune had Canada lost to Russia? For sure. But fortunately, our Team Canada Mens Hockey team absolutely crushed the Russian squad from the opening face-off. I’m not sure about anyone else but as soon as Canada skated to a 3-0 lead, the game just felt over to me. Sure the Russians began showing signs of waking up, but it just looked like this was Canada’s night and that nothing could stop them. Ovechkin was held in check all night long and Canada finally got some bounces, especially for Corey Perry’s 2nd period goal!
One of the funny things is that I have not heard anyone complain about the roster selections anymore. All I heard all week was why did Canada chose Patrice Bergeron, why did Canada choose Brenden Morrow, etc. One thing I never like to do is second guess roster choices on a Canadian squad. Sure it may not work out, but it is very easy to criticize when things are going bad and to be quiet when things are good. The way I see it is that the Team Canada executive team (led by Steve Yzerman) know quite a bit more about hockey than I do behind my computer screen. I believe this last game against the Russians is all we need to catapult us to gold.
The other huge surprise to me was Team Sweden laying an egg in their game against Slovakia. Had Sweden defeated the Slovaks, I would not be as quick in my gold medal prediction. Don’t get me wrong, the Slovaks have some really good players and I don’t think it will be an easy game (they did beat Russia as well afterall), but I can’t see Roberto Luongo letting in 4 of 14 shots on net. Stranger things have happened, but I think this is a safe prediction!
Tonight though I will be cheering on our Team Canada womens team as they attempt to take the gold medal from the US squad. I will admit that I do not enjoy watching the early womens hockey games as they are so one sided, but tonight will be very different. Look for a very intense flavor of hockey. These two squads hate each other more than any other two squads I’ve seen.
My prediction: Canada 4 USA 3.
GO CANADA GO!
Big night on the ice tonight!
Always a highly rated affair, the Team Canada Men’s team will face their southern rivals tonight at 7:40 EST in a preliminary pool match up. Mike Richards who began the tournament as Team Canada’s 13th forward has been moved up to the top line with Sidney Crosby and Rick Nash. I find the move interesting as all I can picture is Crosby and Richards playing against each other in a Penguins/Flyers bout. This game is big game in terms of points. If cAnada can win the game in regulation or in a shoot-out (with goal differential), they will take over first place in Group A before the medal round begins. Look for the Team Canada forwards and defensemen put a lot of pressure on the Team USA defense and Ryan Miller tonight. Crosby has picked up a point in each game against Ryan Miller this season including a hat-trick in their last match up.
Team Canada Authentic Jerseys
Team Canada Authentic Jerseys
Just in time for the Olympics, Team Canada Authentic Jerseys are now available from the links below. The Official Nike 2010 Canadian National Hockey Team Swift Authentic Jersey is the actual jersey worn on-ice during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics by all Team Canada players. Jersey features include:
- Outer Body: 87% Polyester, 13% Spandex
- Inner Body: 82% Polyester, 18% Spandex
- Large twill-embroidered Canada native art* maple leaf crest sewn to jersey chest
- Twill-embroidered Vancouver 2010 Olympic logo crest sewn to left arm
- Twill-embroidered Canadian Olympic Committee logo crest sewn to back hem
- Nike swoosh logo embroidered to upper right chest
IMPORTANT NOTE: As the official authentic on-ice jersey worn during the 2010 Olympic competition, this is an extremely form-fitting jersey. The jersey is designed to stretch and fit snugly over equipment, and will likely be a much tighter fit than with traditional hockey jerseys. Please keep this in mind when ordering this jersey.
You can also customize your jersey to include your favorite players name (Crosby, Iginla, Thorton, etc), or with your own name.
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Team Canada beats Slovakia 18-0
Similar to the Team Canada Juniors team beating Team Latvia 16-0, questions once again are being raised about the level of competition that exists in women’s hockey. My personal opinion is that the gap will eventually close similar to the Men’s game and that more games will be competitive. I always like to use USA basketball as a point of argument. I believe it was 1992 and the “dream team” obliterated every other team on their way to the Gold medal. Fast forward 10 years and there are numerous other countries that are remaining competitive with the mighty Dream Team. I hope the same will happen with Women’s hockey, otherwise the sport may soon be out of the Olympics.
Back to the game, Meghan Acosta and Jyna Hefford led the Canadian onslaught each contributing a hat trick. In fact, only Meaghan Mikkelson was held off the score sheet for Team Canada. Kim St. Pierre stopped all shots on the way to her 1st shutout of the tournament. Next up for the Canadians is againt Switzerland on February 15th.
Interesting Note: Team Slovakia qualified for the tournament by virtue of an 82-0 victory over Bulgaria. Imagine watching the 82-0 game!
Team Canada Jerseys for the kids?
Why not pick up a jersey for the youngster in your family? IceJerseys.com offers Team Canada Jerseys for both infants and toddlers.
Ryan Getzlaf injured – will he miss the Olympics?
One of the biggest fears before the Olympics is the potential for players to get injured while playing for their respective club teams. Although there have been a few small injuries along the way, I believe there are only 2 major players who will miss the Olympics due to injury. USA defensemen Mike Komisarek, and Paul Martin both sustained significant injuries and will not be able to participate in the 2010 Olympics.
So far Team Canada has gone quite unscathed on the injury front, but with exactly 1 week to go before the first puck drop, it looks like Team Canada may lose one of their top power forward threats. Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks injured his ankle in last night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings and will be re-evaluated over the next week.
Although I would only expect a decision later this week, most people are wondering who could replace Getzlaf if he were to miss the Olympics. The most logical choice for me is Vincent Lecavalier. He, like Getzlaf, is a big player, plays center but lacks the grit that Getzlaf would bring night in night out. Other players in the mix include Lightning teammate Martin St. Louis. With Canada having multiple players that can play center, this may be an opportunity to bring a spare winger on board.
The injury to Getzlaf is certainly not going to cause people to jump off the Team Canada gold medal bandwagon, but it certainly could play a big role in some of the tougher games on Canada’s schedule. I enjoy how Getzlaf plays, and hope he will be at 100% come next Tuesday!