Bergeron makes Team Canada

Team Canada announced its 23-man roster for the 2010 Olympics today, and one Bruin made the cut: center Patrice Bergeron, who was named to the team after a couple of weeks of having Steve Yzerman, Team Canada's Executive Director, in the arena during some B's games, specifically to watch Bergeron play.

The 2010 games in Vancouver, B.C., will be Bergeron's first Olympiad, though he has represented Canada in other international competitions. Bergeron projects to be a third or fourth line player for Canada's stacked squad, and he will likely be relied on for strong defensive play and his ability to win face-offs.

Making Team Canada completes a whirlwind coupe of seasons for the Quebec-born forward, as he is just over two years removed from suffering a devastating concussion, an injury that caused him to miss nearly an entire season. He returned to play in time for the start of the 2008-2009 season, only to miss a bit more time after suffering another less serious concussion.

This season, Bergeron has solidified his spot as the Bruins' best all-around player and has shown signs of returning to his pre-injury form. More often than not, he has been one of the better Bruins on the ice this season.

Bergeron's selection is also particularly notable because of who didn't make the team. Big name players like Jeff Carter, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Ryan Smyth were left off of the roster, as were defensemen Mike Green and Jay Bouwmeester.

For the full Canadian roster, click here.

In other Bruin Olympic news, Zdeno Chara was named to Team Slovakia (I know, shocking!), where he will be counted on to provide leadership to a Slovakian group that is sure to be a medal underdog, and David Krejci was named to the Czech Republic's squad.

Tuukka Rask, who has played brilliantly for the B's so far this season, was left off of a goaltending-rich Finland squad (Miikka Kiprusoff, Niklas Backstrom and Antero Nittymaki were the three goalies who made the team).

The United States will announce its team during the Winter Classic on Friday, but it appears that no Bruins will be on the roster. One player sure to be wearing the Stars and Stripes is former-Bruin Phil Kessel, who will likely get a reprieve from booing from American B's fans during the Olympics.

Games begin for the male Olympians on February 16.