Hockey Beat » hockey canada

Yzerman to Call Gretzky About The Olympics

Jeanne Dupuis — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:39:52 +0000

As I’m sure you already know, Wayne Gretzky resigned as the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes earlier this week which has left a lot of people wondering about his plans for the future. While it’s true that the Coyotes didn’t exactly flourish under his watch, Gretzky really is an ambassador for the sport and it’s great having him around.

Steve Yzerman, who is now the executive director of Hockey Canada as well as the vice president of the Detroit Red Wings, has said that he is hoping to talk to The Great One about his experiences at the Olympics (really? Does anyone want to remember how badly Team Canada performed last time?).

Of course, the 2010 Vancouver Games are just months away so I’m sure that the newly appointed Hockey Canada leader is trying to get prepared. I’m guessing he’s going to ask Gretzky about what went wrong and how to avoid it. I can provide one bit of insight – pick young, skilled players! Sheesh.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Spezza Coming to Canada’s Olympic Camp

Jeanne Dupuis — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:45:15 +0000

People who have been crying over Jason Spezza not making it onto Team Canada’s Olympic roster can dry their tears. The Ottawa Senators centre has been invited after all.

This is, of course, only after Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf suffered on off-season injury and needed to be replaced. Hockey Canada made the announcement yesterday.

Who knows, maybe this will be the last time Spezza gets to share the ice with his Senators teammate, Dany Heatley (who has been whining for a trade but refused to accept a reasonable offer from the Edmonton Oilers. The camp takes place in Calgary from August 24-27, 2009.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Crosby Invited, Canada Olympic List Announced

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:25:24 +0000

When I saw Hockey Canada’s list of invitees for the 2010 Olympics orientation camp I breathed a sigh of relief. Unlike the last Olympics where the hottest young players were overlooked, the prospects for the upcoming Vancouver Games are a mixture of youth and experience. In all, 46 players have been invited to the camp. The group is comprised of five goaltenders, 16 defencemen and 25 forwards.

Here’s the list (noticeably missing are Steven Stamkos and Chris Osgood). What do you think?

Goaltenders

Three-time Olympian Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils)
2006 Olympian Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks)
Stanley Cup champion Marc-André Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes)

Defencemen

Jay Bouwmeester (Calgary Flames)
Dan Boyle (San Jose Sharks)
Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks)
Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers)
Robyn Regehr (Calgary Flames)
Dion Phaneuf (Calgary Flames)
Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)
François Beauchemin (Anaheim Ducks)
Brent Burns (Minnesota Wild)
Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings)
Stéphane Robidas (Dallas Stars)
Mike Green (Washington Capitals)
Dan Hamhuis (Nashville Predators)
Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)
Brent Seabrook (Chicago Blackhawks)

Forwards

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes)
Simon Gagné (Philadelphia Flyers)
Dany Heatley (Ottawa Senators)
Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames)
Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche)
Martin St-Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes)
Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks)
Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche)
Jeff Carter (Philadelphia Flyers)
Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks)
Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins)
Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks)
Andy McDonald (St. Louis Blues)
Brenden Morrow (Dallas Stars)
Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks)
Michael Richards (Philadelphia Flyers)
Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres)
Patrick Sharp (Chicago Blackhawks)
Jordan Staal (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks)
Dan Cleary (Detroit Red Wings)

The camp will run from August 24-27 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.

images: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat