Four years ago Canada won Gold in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and much was made surrounding the team entering this year.
Now it’s time to put up or shut up for the 25 man roster as debuted on TSN during the announcement in Etobicoke Ontario at the Leaf’s practice facility
The announcement was made by Team GM Steve Yzerman along with Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Red Wings.
“In the end we’ve put together the best group of players we possibly can. Now we have to become the best team we possibly can,” head coach Mike Babcock stated.
To no one’s surprise the team will have Sidney Crosby (likely will be named captain) leading the team along with Goaltender Roberto Luongo, but to the surprise of many Delta’s Brent Seabrook was left off.
Also left off Canada’s roster were veterans such as Martin St. Louis, Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Eric Staal, in addition to some younger players like Claude Giroux, Tyler Seguin, Logan Couture.
Luongo could get the call for the number one spot and it’s hoped he is healthy to start, but that remains to be seen.
Included in the roster are some returning Gold Medal players such as Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Patrice Bergeron.
Canadiens D-man PK Subban will also play for the team at the Olympics in Sochi , which begins for Canada on February 13th as they play against Norway .
Canada chose to go for a mix of youth, chemistry plus having the veteran experience that will travel to Sochi to defend the Gold Medal.
Team Canada is hoping to cash in on Chris Kunitz’s chemistry playing with Penguins teammate Crosby and could be on the same line.
“Chris Kunitz has been an outstanding player throughout his career, a Stanley Cup champion,” Yzerman told a news conference Tuesday at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice facility. “He played for me at the 2008 world championship in Quebec and Halifax and was a very good player on that team.”
“He’s a skilled player,” Yzerman added. “Yes he plays with Sidney Crosby and he’s been a great contributor not only to that line but to his team.”
Martin St. Louis, snubbed in 2010 by Yzerman, was again cut and others considered, failed to make the squad included Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Claude Giroux and Dan Boyle.
“He’s a tremendous hockey player who has played outstanding hockey for us in Tampa this year,” stated Yzerman, who is the GM of the Lightning. “Our team has a good record and he’s a big reason why our team is playing well.”
Lightning forward Stamkos’ status for the tournament is unclear as he continues to recover from a broken leg. Yzerman said his rehab is going well.
“If he’s healthy he’s one of the best 25 players obviously in Canada and should be on that team,” said Yzerman.
Canada’s roster features two of the NHL’s top three scorers in Crosby (23 goals, 40 assists) and Getzlaf (20 goals and 28 assists) and the third is U.S. winger Patrick Kane (23 goals, 31 assists).
Canada defeated the States in O/T to win the Gold Medal in 2010 when Crosby beat Ryan Miller allowing Canada to grab a second Gold Medal since the NHL began sending players at the 1998 Nagano Games.
Canada opens the Sochi Games Feb. 13 against Norway.
