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.
Showing posts with label Team Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Team Canada. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Team Canada: Lucic In, Savard Out; Kessel and Thomas for USA
Team Canada announced the invitees for its 2010 Olympic Team camp today, and one Bruin made the grade: 21-year old Vancouver, B.C. native Milan Lucic.
The bruising forward was a somewhat surprising invitee, considering that he is only in his second year in the league and was chosen over some notably more talented players, not the least of which being teammate Marc Savard, who was not invited.
Lucic, however, brings another element to the Canadians' game, one that includes physical play and a bit of an edge. Whether or not Lucic makes the final roster remains to be seen, but something tells me the kid taking the ice with the Canadian flag on his sweater in his hometown of Vancouver next year might be one of the biggest thrills imaginable.
Savard being left out is a bit of a surprise, but is almost understandable considering Canada's logjam at center. Here are just a few of the centers the Canadians have to choose from, other than Savard: Joe Thornton, Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, Eric Staal and Joe Sakic. Savard is good, but not good enough to bump one of those guys out of a spot.
For the Yanks, the Bruins chosen were Tim Thomas and Phil Kessel, neither of which was really a surprise. Thomas has become a bona-fide netminder, and will likely compete with Ryan Miller for a starting job, and is almost certain, in my opinion, to at least be the back-up, depending on how the oft-injured Rick DiPietro performs over the coming months.
Kessel will add some good scoring punch to the American squad, one that already features names like Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Zach Parise and Patrick Kane.
Other American Bruins, like Blake Wheeler, Mark Stuart and Matt Hunwick, may have a better shot at donning the stars and stripes come 2014.
The bruising forward was a somewhat surprising invitee, considering that he is only in his second year in the league and was chosen over some notably more talented players, not the least of which being teammate Marc Savard, who was not invited.
Lucic, however, brings another element to the Canadians' game, one that includes physical play and a bit of an edge. Whether or not Lucic makes the final roster remains to be seen, but something tells me the kid taking the ice with the Canadian flag on his sweater in his hometown of Vancouver next year might be one of the biggest thrills imaginable.
Savard being left out is a bit of a surprise, but is almost understandable considering Canada's logjam at center. Here are just a few of the centers the Canadians have to choose from, other than Savard: Joe Thornton, Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, Eric Staal and Joe Sakic. Savard is good, but not good enough to bump one of those guys out of a spot.
For the Yanks, the Bruins chosen were Tim Thomas and Phil Kessel, neither of which was really a surprise. Thomas has become a bona-fide netminder, and will likely compete with Ryan Miller for a starting job, and is almost certain, in my opinion, to at least be the back-up, depending on how the oft-injured Rick DiPietro performs over the coming months.
Kessel will add some good scoring punch to the American squad, one that already features names like Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Zach Parise and Patrick Kane.
Other American Bruins, like Blake Wheeler, Mark Stuart and Matt Hunwick, may have a better shot at donning the stars and stripes come 2014.
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