The International Ice Hockey Federation has half of this year’s Olympic Hockey team rosters available to peruse online today, with another five being announced tomorrow. The Team USA roster won’t be released until January 1st, during the Winter Classic game. Things aren’t looking good for Team USA at this point but hey, we had the Miracle on Ice remember?
Courtesy of http://www.vancouver2010.com
Assuming that everyone listed on these rosters is healthy (that gives a lot of time to those who aren’t currently), this year is going to be one action packed event. We are truly blessed this year with not only an incredible season of hockey in full swing, but the luxury of getting to watch Olympic Hockey as well.
Olympic Hockey is like getting to witness playoff puck in the middle of a season, and with (arguably) higher stakes involved. I realize that winning Lord Stanley’s celebrated Cup is a triumphant moment in the lives of the team involved, but consider bringing 4 years of recognition, fame, and glory to the country that birthed you (usually) into the world.
Emotions flare, talents reign supreme, and us real hockey fans also glimpse some of the amazing skill of players we haven’t heard of and will most likely never get to see.
Among those players already chosen to represent their countries lie a few of our own Colorado Avalanche, our local gladiators.
The first Av named to an Olympic roster may come as a surprise to most. Ruslan Salei was chosen to represent his home nation of Belarus in the upcoming games. The last time frame on Salei’s return, which of course I cannot find now, was mid-late January. Here’s to hoping the big guy’s back is feeling better and his conditioning remains.
The next chosen one on our beloved Burgundy Boys is none other than Peter Budaj, selected to represent his home country of Slovakia for the second time in his career. Peter Budaj is joined by Jaroslav Halak (Habs) and Ratislav Stana (Russia) in the tough job of protecting the void between the pipes. Slovakia packs a decent punch, as far as I know, with players such as: Marian Hossa, Miroslav Satan, Richard Zednik, Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, Lubomir Visnovsky, and Zdeno Chara among others on the roster.
That taps out the Avalanche for today, although I suspect a few more names will come out by January 1. Speculation would lead you to assume at least Paul Stastny (US) and Milan Hejduk (Czech) will definitely be making the trip to Vancouver, while Wojtek Wolski (obviously not Poland) and Craig Anderson (US) are choices for many.
I think Anderson has rightly earned a spot on the Team USA roster, no doubt joined by Ryan Miller and Jonathon Quick. Which would rival that of Team Canada, who will have at least Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur in net.
Currently, I’m predicting Sweden and Russia in the Gold Medal game based solely on a roster that makes me want to cry a little:
Team Russia
Team Sweden
*Sweden has replaced Thomas Holmstrom with recently returning Johan Franzen*
What do you think?
Basically these teams look amazing, and we have to assume that at least Team Canada will be as impressive. The real question is: will talent like Phil Kessel step up for Team USA to kick some world ass?
View our roster coverage here: (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4).
Get the Olympic Men’s Hockey Schedule.
Who do you think will win the Gold? Silver? Bronze? Will Team USA even medal? Who makes the cut on your dream team?
Related posts:
- Olympic Recap – Day 6
- Olympic Recap – Day 3
- Olympic Rosters – Part 2 *Updated*
- Olympic Recap – Day 2
- Olympic Rosters – Part 3 *Updated*
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