Hockey Canada, along with executive director Steve Yzerman, announced today the roster for Team Canada men’s hockey team – 25 players were chosen in all, and while some of the choices were expected, others have received a mixed reaction.
Three goalies – Carey Price, Mike Smith, and Roberto Luongo – were chosen, as well as 11 players who were part of the gold medal-winning team in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. As TSN pointed out, notable omissions from the squad at forward include Claude Giroux, Milan Lucic, James Neal, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, and Logan Couture. Left off the team on defence were Dan Boyle, Brent Seabrook, Marc Staal, and Mark Giordano.
“I would like to congratulate the 25 players nominated today to Canada’s Olympic Team,” said Yzerman in a press release. “With the depth of talent in Canada, these players should be very proud of their nomination today and excited about the opportunity that we all have to represent our country in Sochi in February.”
“On behalf of Hockey Canada and its board of directors, I would like to congratulate the players nominated today, as well as all the volunteers, coaches, trainers and officials who helped them get to this level,” said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson in the same release. “I would also like to commend Steve and the management group for their work over the past two years and their diligence under great scrutiny from all Canadians. Canadians should be very proud of this group and the work that they have done leading up to this day.”
Team Canada’s hockey team will face Norway in their first match-up on February 13th.
Photo: Hockey Canada
