The 2010 OLYMPICS
Its approaching!! Only a few years away!! The 2010 OLYMPICS!! woo cant wait!! The world class tournament will be played on Canadian soil so our nation better ice one helluva team. With the NHL being fully loaded with all-star Canadian talent i dont think we will have a problem with that.
Anyways i was reading an article at the hockey news that had a possibly roster for the Americans.
http://thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=26183
Goalies: Ryan Miller, Rick DiPietro, Jeff Frazee
Defense: Jordan Leopold, John-Michael Liles, Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Hal Gill
Forwards: Paul Stastny, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Chris Higgins
Jason Blake, Erik Cole, Brian Rolston, Zach Parise
Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Brian Gionta, Mark Parrish
Kyle Okposo
Although the columnist said this team could compete and beat Canada (im not saying they cant but they will definatly have their hands full when they do play Canada). No offense to America but Canada will have one hell of a roster.
Lets look at what Canada has to offer shall we. Heres a possible roster of who i think will or should make the team.
Goalie
I dont think anyone can argue the fact that this is Roberto Luongo’s team but who will be the other two? Will Martin Brodeur be too old? Will Carey Price or Jonathan Bernier become superstars? Or will the usual Marty Turco, JS Giguere, Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez be considered?
Defense
I believe the only two locks (barring injury) are Dion Phaneuf and Chris Pronger. After that there are so many up and coming defensemen and a few veterans who might or might not be picked. Veterans such as Scott Hannan, Ed Jovanovski, Sheldon Souray and Wade Redden. I think maybe one of the 4 makes the team, hopefully Hannan. The rest of the defensive corp will hopefully be up and coming young guys like Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Hamhuis, Shea Weber, Marc Staal, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook or Cam Barker. Possible longshots could be Chris Phillips, Francois Beauchemin or Brian Campbell (currently leading the league for points by defenseman).
Forwards
Ok so locks on the team so far would have to include Jarome Iginla, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Danny Heatly, Jason Spezza and of course Sidney Crosby. After those 6 the list of possible players to be selected is QUITE extensive (other nations must be jealous haha americans).
So does Canada go with veterans such as Martin St. Louis, Jonathan Cheechoo, Paul Kariya, Daniel Briere, Alex Tanguay, Brendan Morrow, Simon Gagne, Jason Arnott, Shane Doan, Ryan Smyth or Todd Bertuzzi (if he can regain his form)?
Does Canada go with Young guns such as Eric and Jordan Staal, Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Kyle Wellwood (if he can toughen up), Nathan Horton, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Rick Nash, Jason Pominville, Wojtek Wolski, Steve Bernier or Mike Camelleri (currently leading the league in goals)?
Does Canada take a chance on a kid or rookie like Jonathan Toews, Sam Gagne, Kyle Turris, Andrew Cogliano, Jonathan Tavares or Angelo Esposito (possible darkhorse)?
And lastly does JOE SAKIC have enough left in the tank to captain this team??
So with all this said and to counter what “the hockey news” columnist said i believe even if Canada was to have two competing teams that our second string team could very well compete against team America. I wont try to name a roster because that is too hard so i will leave this to you HTR members to battle it out.
Feel free to mention anyone i missed, im sure there are plenty.
-King Canada