2006 Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey Roster
Published Friday, December 23 by Chris Rae | E-mail this post
After much anticipation, the members of the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team were announced today. Two days after the unveiling of an American squad which includes 12 Olympic newcomers (including all three goaltenders), Canada selected a squad of proven international veterans. The only three players not to have been at the 2002 Olympics or 2004 World Cup, Todd Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Marty Turco, are all proven performers. Although Nash hasn't played much this season due to injury, his skills cannot be argued with.It's good to see Bertuzzi have a shot at Olympic gold after some great seasons in Vancouver. Despite the events of 2003-2004, which still linger in the minds of some, he seems determined to associate his name with excellent hockey rather than a notorious incident. While Bertuzzi has been granted his chance, Sidney Crosby has been forced to wait until Vancouver 2010 to make his Olympic debut. I'm sure he must feel disappointment, but when the puck drops on February 15th in Turin, Italy, I'd bet he'll be chearing just as loud as every other Canadian hockey fan.
More in-depth analysis than I'm qualified to give
Here's the line-up:
Goaltenders:
Martin Brodeur (New Jersey)
Roberto Luongo (Florida)
Marty Turco (Dallas)
Defence:
Rob Blake (Colorado)
Adam Foote (Columbus)
Ed Jovanovski (Vancouver)
Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim)
Chris Pronger (Edmonton)
Wade Redden (Ottawa)
Robyn Regehr (Calgary)
Forwards:
Todd Bertuzzi (Vancouver)
Shane Doan (Phoenix)
Kris Draper (Detroit)
Simon Gagne (Philadelphia)
Dany Heatley (Ottawa)
Jarome Iginla (Calgary)
Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay)
Rick Nash (Columbus)
Brad Richards (Tampa Bay)
Joe Sakic (Colorado) - Captain
Ryan Smyth (Edmonton)
Martin St-Louis (Tampa Bay)
Joe Thornton (San Jose)
Reserves:
Bryan McCabe (Toronto)
Jason Spezza (Ottawa)
Eric Staal (Carolina)
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While I agree that Todd Bertuzzi has had some amazing seasons with the Canucks (filled with numerous highlight reel 'ripples of the twine') I have to argue that he deserves a spot on the 2006 Canadian Mens' Olympic roster. In a season that is already about two thirds complete, Bertuzzi has shown only flashes of the brilliance that brought him accolades from Vancouver fans and probably landed him his spot on the Olympic roster. His point production has been inconsistent and pales in comparison to the numbers he was putting up the previous two seasons. He also displays a laziness and lack of drive that, hopefully, will not be tolerated at the Olympic level of play. I guess my main concern is that Bertuzzi won't be able to keep up with the speed of the game that is played every four years at a caliber so high that it makes the NHL look like molasses running down a wall. Despite my reservations, when the Olympics roll around this month in Torino and Todd Bertuzzi steps on the ice to represent Canada, I will be cheering for him as hard as for any other player on our impressive 'dream team'.
P.S. Judging from the boos that follow every contact of Bertuzzi's stick with the puck, I would guess that the unfortunate events that transpired in the 2003-2004 season still linger in the minds of all hockey fans aside from those in Vancouver. So sad.
Way to go, Marty!!!!!!!! Us Devils fans will miss watching Devil's games while you are in Italy, but we will enjoy watching you in the Olympics!!!
Go for the gold!!!!!!!
Your loyal fans, The McDonalds!!!!!!