The longest winter in recent memory was, undoubtedly, 2004-05. Hard to believe that next winter will mark the 5 year anniversary of the NHL Lockout…
The lone bright spot in our hockey memories that season came from Grand Forks, North Dakota, the site of the 2005 World Junior Championships. It was a tournament for the ages, as numerous NHL-bound youngsters competed for their countries instead of professional clubs. Russia’s Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin headlined the tournament, though the two superstars were ultimately no match for the most dominant squad in WJC history.
Team Canada’s 2005 WJC roster now reads like a “who’s who” of young NHL stars: Sidney Crosby, Dion Phaneuf, Shea Weber, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards, Braydon Coburn, Corey Perry, and Patrice Bergeron. Though only 4 years ago, all of these young Canadian players have grown from boys to men and each is ready to compete for a coveted spot on Team Canada’s roster for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Steve Yzerman, legendary center and Team Canada General Manager, will have a tough task in rounding out the roster when camp begins in August 2009.
With such tremendous talent to choose from, who’s on the bubble? Who’s DEFINITELY in? Will Yzerman choose to round out the third and fourth lines with size, experience, youth, grit, speed, skill, or a mix of everything? An ongoing poll will be conducted at http://vote4teamcanada2010.blogspot.com throughout 2009 leading up to Team Canada’s final roster selections next fall. Go vote for your favorite player and check out who other fans feel should represent Canada in February 2010!
