Team Canada 2002
Coming from a HUGE Canadian Hockey fan, the last Olympics for Canada kinda blew. No kidding. The management for team Canada will have to make some big adjustments from the last Olympic roster to be wearing the gold come February. This is the line-up in my opinion will maybe not do the trick but at least get them a spot in the finals to either win or… yeah, win! (Note: I’m making most of my opinions from 2001/2002 stats)
Goaltenders:
Starter- Patrick Roy
His performance in the Stanley Cup finals was amazing. What’s more is that he’s the winningest goaltender in league history.
Backup- Martin Brodeur
He helped Jersey push Colorado all the way to a seventh game and he’s known for doing well with 2 Cup rings
3rd- Curtis Joseph
As much as I hate CUJO for leaving Edmonton for $$$, I think he’ll most likely get the spot.
Defenceman:
1.)Rob Blake
Besides the fact he’s already been selected, he would have been the best choice possibly anyways
2.)Chris Pronger
Again, he’s already been selected
3.)Al MacInnis
He’s going to stick around in St. Louis, so he’ll be available next year. Ready and waiting, he’s a sure pick
4.)Scott Stevens
Canada needs some hard-hitting on the blue-line and we know Stevens can do that
5.)Scott Niedermayer
He’s already been picked
6.)Wade Redden
Throw in a young guy who we know has talent and is a youthful guy to add to a somewhat veteran defence core
Forwards:
1st line)
Joe Sakic- C
Paul Kariya- LW
Theoren Fleury- RW
2nd line)
Mario Lemieux- C
Luc Robitaille- LW
Owen Nolan- RW
3rd line)
Steve Yzerman- C
Joe Nieuwendyk- LW
Eric Lindros- RW
4th line)
Jason Allison- C
Alex Tanguay- LW
Simon Gagne- RW
The Big secrets that should be picks in my opinion:
Defence:
1.) Dan McGillis (PHI)- Tenth in goals by a defenceman (14), 11th in points by a defenceman (49) and he’s CANADIAN!!!
2.) Ed Jovonovski (VAN)- Big Hitter, Offencive defenceman and for that matter also defensive, selected to the North American All-Star team.
3.) Patrice Brisebois (MTL)- Had a strong season for the Habs, 23rd in defenceman scoring, but the 10th highest Canadian on the list.
Forwards:
1.) Jeff O’Neill (CAR)- 7th in league goals (41), up there with guys like Bure, Sakic, Jagr, Bondra, Kovalev… This guy has shown that he knows how to score, that could useful
2.) Joe Thornton (BOS)- His best season came in 2001 with 37 goals and 71 points
3.) Donald Audette (DAL)- I don’t know if it’s just my imagination or what, but somehow I think Audette did so well last season because he spent most of it as the most offensive player for the ATLANTA THRASHERS! Either way, he still a strong offensive player
4.) Alex Tanguay (COL)- Stats don’t lie when it comes to Tanguay, he’s an excellent forward proving that among guys like Sakic and Forsberg. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got selected
5.) Eric Daze (CHI)- Had a very good season for Chicago
6.) Steve Sullivan (CHI)- Second on the team in goals (34)