Canada names world championship roster

by James Mirtle on Apr 14, 2009 12:26 AM CDT Comment 14 comments

Wm_medium

The world hockey championship is a great tournament that unfortunately doesn't get a ton of press in North America. It gets underway in 10 days in Switzerland, and many teams have already begun filling out their preliminary rosters with players from teams that didn't qualify for the NHL's postseason.

Here's Canada's early team:

Goalkeepers: Josh Harding (Minnesota), Dwayne Roloson (Edmonton).

Defencemen: Drew Doughty (Los Angeles), Dan Hamhuis (Nashville), Chris Phillips (Ottawa), Luke Schenn (Toronto), Shea Weber (Nashville), Ian White (Toronto).

Forwards: Colby Armstrong (Atlanta), Shane Doan (Phoenix), Mike Fisher (Ottawa), Dany Heatley (Ottawa), Shawn Horcoff (Edmonton), Matthew Lombardi (Phoenix), James Neal (Dallas), Derek Roy (Buffalo), Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay), Jason Spezza (Ottawa), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay), Scottie Upshall (Phoenix).

A lot of youth, as per usual, with four prominent rookies getting some international experience. Canada should have plenty of firepower between Doan, Heatley, Horcoff, St. Louis and Spezza, and will be solid defensively and in goal.

They're likely the favourites.

I'll have a look at the other teams' rosters as they come in over the next week or so. One player I know who will be there playing his heart out is Switzerland's Mark Streit, who'll be leading his underdog squad on home ice.

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Goaltending

I’m concerned that Roloson might be a little rusty; he hasn’t played much lately.

by sarcasticidealist on Apr 14, 2009 12:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought Roloson got all the games down the stretch?

by wlittle on Apr 14, 2009 12:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, you are correct. At one point, Roloson played in 20+ straight starts down the stretch. If anything, there’s a chance that his 35+ year old body will be tired, rather than rusty.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Apr 14, 2009 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People keep telling me that sarcasm doesn’t come across well in writing, but for some reason I never listen…

(And by “35+ year old”, I assume you mean “39 year old”. But it’s okay – the man is a cyborg.)

by sarcasticidealist on Apr 14, 2009 12:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only cyborg that exists is Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, but I digress. But your name alone should have gave away your intentions right away, but I obviously missed it. So we’re both to blame. ;)

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Apr 14, 2009 12:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t even pick up on the name.

by wlittle on Apr 14, 2009 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m guessing Gerber, as well.

by wlittle on Apr 14, 2009 12:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like offer sheets...

So Team Canada decided to run with the Oilers 2009-10 goaltending tandem, eh?

by Jonathan Willis on Apr 14, 2009 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I spoke with Streit after a Ranger-Islander game and mentioned I went to Bern for the Blueshirts preseason games and his eyes lit up. He went on and on about how much he loved living there and how much he missed it. It is a very pretty town and if anyone has the chance to go for these games, I highly recommend it. Just be warned – German is the primary language in Bern – while most folks know some english, it is not predominant.

I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!

by Scotty Hockey on Apr 14, 2009 2:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He seems like a solid character all around — and definitely is proud of his home.

Bern is a great place from what I saw, though the whole country makes me light in the wallet.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Apr 14, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's hoping Harding looks good

It would be nice to use this as a showcase to move him before the draft.

by nathaneide on Apr 14, 2009 8:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Unless he’s being very difficult in negotiations, or the return is incredible (very doubtful), why wouldn’t you just simply try and keep him as the team’s backup? He’s young, improving, and knows the team… seems simple enough to try and keep him as long as it financially makes sense.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Apr 14, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I imagine Harding himself wants a shot at more starts.

by James Mirtle on Apr 14, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spezza

After last year’s (lack of) performance on the world stage, Spezza needs to show Hockey Canada something more if he wants to have even the slimmest hope of an Olympic shot.

-Kevin Forbes
Hockey's Future

by kforbes on Apr 14, 2009 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs