Hockey Beat » team canada

Crosby, Nash & Iginla – Triple Threat for Canada

Jeanne Dupuis — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:51:14 +0000

The whispers about the chemistry between Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla and Rick Nash are growing louder with some outlets labeling the line as “dangerous” and I can completely see how that would be true. There is a reason, after all, why these guys are big names in the hockey world.

When you look at their combined efforts this past season, they posted 108 goals and amassed 271 points. That’s pretty encouraging. Even Jordan Staal had to say: “that’s pretty scary. When you see those three guys on one line – three star players on their own team and obviously star players throughout the world – it’s something scary. You don’t want to be lining up against those three.”

Of course, it’s too soon to know how the lines will be configured during the Olympics but just imagining the potential here is pretty incredible. I think Team Canada is shaping up to be pretty strong this time around.

Crosby said: “I don’t think you can complain about anybody you play with here. But to play with those two guys has been pretty fun.”

This is the first time that Crosby could be going to the Olympics and he seems amazed with the pace of the practices. “It’s healthy, guys just want to have fun with it,” said Crosby. “Every guy out here is competitive. It doesn’t mean they’re trying to go out there and show anybody up. They’re just excited for the opportunity to be here and they want to do their best. Everyone has fun when you’re doing well.”

After the nightmare team that Wayne Gretzky put together for Turin, I’m thinking just about anything would be better than that so this is a good sign.

image: Zuma Press

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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

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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

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Babcock to Coach Team Canada in 2010

Jeanne Dupuis — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:14:58 +0000

It has been announced that Detroit Red Wings coach, Mike Babcock, will assume the head coaching duties for Team Canada when they compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Steve Yzerman, who currently serves as the executive director of Canada’s Olympic team, knows Babcock well from his time with the Red Wings so, along with the coach’s recent record, it’s not too surprising that he was chosen for the job.

Also, while he hasn’t coached an Olympic team he did lead Team Canada to a 2004 World Championship title and the 1997 World Junior title. I am hoping he does a better job than Wayne Gretzky last time. Canada is full of young, amazing talent – use them!

Who would you choose for Canada’s Olympic team?

image: TSN

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Gretzky Steps Away From Canada’s 2010 Olympic Hockey Team

Jeanne Dupuis — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:21:42 +0000

In a move that brings me great relief, Wayne Gretzky has made it CRYSTAL CLEAR that he will not be included in anything having to do with Canada’s Olympic Hockey Team for the 2010 Vancouver Games. “I don’t know how many times I can say this,” Gretzky told reporters. “I’m not involved. I don’t plan on being involved. I really enjoyed my time with Team Canada. I think it’s a privilege to be part of Team Canada. It was a great honour for me. And I loved it. But I really felt stepping aside and having a new regime take over – a fresh start heading into Vancouver – was the best for Canada."

I’m sorry but I thought Gretzky did a horrible job choosing the players for the team last time – how could he overlook young stars like Sidney Crosby and Dion Phaneuf? That was just crazy! I know that current Team Canada executive director, Steve Yzerman, has a lot of decisions to make but, hopefully, he will take a look at those players who are performing well, regardless of their age or level of experience.

image: TSN

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Canada vs. Russia at World Junior Semifinals

Jeanne Dupuis — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:42:03 +0000

Team Canada and Team Russia have advanced to the semifinals at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. This is the first truly exciting match-up for me at the tournament (I’m sure everyone is looking forward to it).

Last year Canada squared off against USA during the semifinals and Russia faced Sweden. Ultimately, the Canadians beat the Swedes in the Gold medal match with a final score of 3-2.

Watch it live on TSN, TSN HD and TSN.ca at 7pm et/4pm pt.

image: TSN

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