Say hello to team Canada's 2002 olympic roster *UPDATE: Final Roster Selected*

[BigToque]

MY ORIGINAL PICKS
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Goalies

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Eddie Belfour

Defence

Rob Blake
Chris Pronger
Scott Niedermayer
Scott Stevens
Ed Jovanovski
Wade Redden
Eric Brewer (maybe Al MacInnis or Adam Foote)

Forwards

Mario Lemieux
Joe Sakic
Steve Yzerman
Owen Nolan
Paul Kariya
Jarome Iginla
Brendan Shanahan
Theorn Fleury
Eric Lindros
Simon Gagne
Joe Thornton
Michael Peca
Anson Carter


OFFICIAL FINAL ROSTER
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Goalies

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Eddie Belfour

Defence

Rob Blake
Chris Pronger
Scott Niedermayer
Al MacInnis
Ed Jovanovski
Adam Foote
Eric Brewer

Forwards

Mario Lemieux
Joe Sakic
Steve Yzerman
Owen Nolan
Paul Kariya
Jarome Iginla
Brendan Shanahan
Theorn Fleury
Eric Lindros
Simon Gagne
Michael Peca
Ryan Smyth
Joe Nieuwendyk

So I was pretty close... I picked 19/23. The only exceptions were Joe Thornton, Anson Carter, Wade Redden and Scott Stevens. I can see why Stevens isn't there. They are focusing on speed and offence, not a hard hitting defence. Redden was a toss up. I'm kinda surprised at the pick of Nieuwendyk. He is a great player, but he has been bogged down with injuries and he is getting quite old. I really think they should have taken Thornton instead. As for Anson Carter, I figured it would be either Carter or Smyth getting on the roster, but I was leaning towards Carter because Smyth is hurt right now.

This is the roster that will bring olympic gold back to Canada this year!!

 

[FrogDog]

Hey.

Edit - I thought Belfour was American...

 

[Dean]

Belfour is American!!

And i also highly doubt we'll see Mario in the lineup.

 

[BigToque]

<< I thought Belfour was American... >>



He was born in Carman, Manitoba, Canada.

 

[Dean]

You are right Stefan, I just looked up his info, I could have sworn he was American.

 

[NakaNaka]

Belfour is from Canada but this roster is BS just your personal opinion. This hasn;t been posted anywhere.

 

[lamplighter]

What? Is this just your guess at the roster?

 

[lamplighter]

<< You are right Stefan, I just looked up his info, I could have sworn he was American. >>



I thought he was American at one point too. I think it was cause he was with the Blackhawks with Yanks like Chelios, Amonte, and Roenick. Also cause the way he looks (its true).

 

[BigToque]

<< Belfour is from Canada but this roster is BS just your personal opinion. This hasn;t been posted anywhere. >>



Obviously this is just my opinion, but I this roster is 95% complete.

The only people that are possible substitutes are:

Eric Brewer
Michael Peca
Anson Carter

Everyone else will be there.

 

[RedRooster]

If Smitty heals up on the pace he's currently on, one of those last four guys isn't going to be on the team.

 

[BigToque]

<< If Smitty heals up on the pace he's currently on, one of those last four guys isn't going to be on the team. >>



Smitty == Ryan Smyth?

Smyth would be a great addition. I still can't believe they wouldn't take Gagne and Thornton. If anyone is replaced it will be either Peca or Carter.

Possible replacements for those two guys would be:

Jason Arnott
Ryan Smyth
Mark Recchi
Kieth Primeau
Alex Tanguay

I wonder if they will take Carter and Smyth...

 

[FrogDog]

I think they'll take Tanguay.

 

[BigToque]

Bump... Final roster confirmed!

 

[lamplighter]

I guess others don't find this as exciting as we do Stefan. I like the picks except for Nieuwendyk. I would've like to see Arnott or Recchi on the team. And of course the only huge disappointment is Roy. I blame Gretzky, he should've done anything he could to get the best goaltender in the world on Canada's team. I sure hope they win, and think they can/will, but if they don't, Gretzky is gonna get flamed for the Roy situation.

 

[minendo]

I thought Scott Stevens was American.

N/M: He was born in Canada.

 

[Nutdotnet]

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!



Anyone have any idea what the US roster will be? Doubt it will be as star-studded as the Canadians but who knows? I know jack about Hockey.

 

[lamplighter]

<< I thought Scott Stevens was American.

N/M: He was born in Canada. >>



Maybe you were thinking of Kevin Stevens?

 

[BlackSoul]

Mario won't be playing, and what make you think they can get it done this time. Both Canada and USA were a HUGE disappointment last time.

 

[lamplighter]

<< Mario won't be playing, and what make you think they can get it done this time. Both Canada and USA were a HUGE disappointment last time. >>



I think he will, unless they have been lying to us all along. How could you misestimate a basic injury by months?

As for what is different... I don't know... the team seems younger (Nieuwendyk is the only guy on the team who I think is too far past his prime to be on the team, as opposed to last time there were a bunch, although I don't remember the roster too well). Also, I looked briefly but didn't find the scoring leaders from 97/98, but I doubt there were 6 Canadians in the top 10, 5 of which are on the team (scoring leaders).