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A Ridiculously Early Guess at Canada's
World Cup Team
November 10, 2003
Story by: Bill
Martin
As soon as Hockey Canada named Wayne Gretzky
executive director of Team Canada for next
summer's World Cup of Hockey, speculation
began as to who will be on the team.
Hockey Canada remains loyal to Gretzky
who, along with Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini,
built the squad that won Olympic gold at
Salt Lake in 2002. Since Gretzky himself
puts great stock in loyalty - he's already
said that Lowe and Tambellini will be back
again - Canada's World Cup team will probably
closely resemble the one that shone in Salt
Lake.
There are, however, two key factors that
will give the team a slightly different
look. First, Pat Quinn probably won't be
back as head coach, so some Quinn favourites
may not be back either.
Secondly, Hockey Canada has its eye on
a bigger prize: a repeat performance as
Olympic champions in Turin, Italy in 2006.
So look for Gretzky to use the World Cup
as an opportunity for some younger players
to gain valuable experience playing at the
elite international level.
As it stands, the eight countries participating
in the tourney are required to name 18 of
their 23 skaters by Feb. 1. So is it too
early to start guessing as to who will be
on Team Canada?
Yes, it's ridiculously early. But I'm sure
Gretzky already has a 23-man roster in his
mind.
So, using the Salt Lake team as a basis,
here's what I think the new roster and coaching
staff will be.
Good as Gold
G Martin Brodeur - arguably the best goaltender
in hockey right now. He'll be Team Canada's
undisputed No. 1 netminder this time.
D Rob Blake - might be slowing down some,
but his size, skill, presence and experience
make him a keeper.
D Eric Brewer - part of Team Canada's youth
movement, he played well at Salt Lake. He'll
make the team if he's healthy.
D Adam Foote - finally recognized as one
of the best in the NHL. Just ask his Avalanche
teammates how valuable he is.
D Ed Jovanovski - can sometimes be brilliant
and dopey on the same shift, but he's tough
as nails and is becoming an offensive force
on the blueline.
D Scott Niedermayer - a wonderful skater
who can move the puck; key attributes for
a defenseman at this level of competition.
D Chris Pronger - slowly returning to form
after missing all but five games last season.
He'll be ready to dominate by next August.
F Mario Lemieux - Gretzky has already said
the Salt Lake team captain will be his captain
again - if he wants to.
F Jarome Iginla - Salt Lake was his coming-out
party. He'll definitely be back.
F Paul Kariya - don't know how much of
a difference he would have made at Nagano
in '98, but he was a welcome addition at
Salt Lake.
F Mike Peca - still one of the top shutdown
centres in the NHL. And he can score, too.
F Joe Sakic - will be the heart and soul
of the World Cup squad.
F Brendan Shanahan - he's slowing down,
but he brings toughness, grit and scoring
punch.
F Ryan Smyth - came back early from a broken
ankle to play at Salt Lake. He'll be rewarded
for that.
Glimmer is Fading
G Ed Belfour - has the experience, ability
and winning track record to be a valuable
back-up. But many think Quinn got him on
the Salt Lake squad, and he won't have Quinn
in his corner this time. Besides, he won't
be around for Turin, so why not bring someone
younger?
F Simon Gagne - another part of the Salt
Lake youth movement. Hasn't shown that he
belongs on the team, but will probably get
another chance.
F Eric Lindros - a shadow of his former
self, plus he's never really performed that
well at this level. But Gretzky's sense
of loyalty will likely keep him on the team.
F Owen Nolan - when healthy and motivated,
he's a force. Back woes may hurt his chances,
but don't forget that 'Gretzky and loyalty'
thing.
F Steve Yzerman - the heart and soul of
the Salt Lake team can still contribute.
Gretzky will invite him knowing that Stevie
Y will do the classy thing and let someone
younger have a turn.
Lost Their Shine
G Curtis Joseph - hard to believe he was
Team Canada's No. 1 goalie going into Salt
Lake. A younger guy will take his place
this time around.
D Al MacInnis - his recent eye surgery
makes him very doubtful. Too bad, because
he is still one of Canada's top blueliners.
F Theo Fleury - he overcame his personal
demons to make a solid contribution at Salt
Lake. Unfortunately, those demons have the
best of him now.
F Joe Nieuwendyk - another Quinn favourite
who's running out of gas. Someone younger
will take his place.
C Pat Quinn - he drove Team Canada to gold
at Salt Lake, but not without a lot of grumbling
from the players. Maybe he is out of touch
with today's game.
The New Blood
G Roberto Luongo and/or Patrick Lalime
- Luongo is Canada's best young goaltender,
plus he came off the bench to backstop Canada's
gold medal team at the 2003 World Championships.
Underrated Lalime gets the call if Belfour
is dropped.
D Jay Bouwmeester - he might be too young
still, but he dominated at the World Championships.
He'll be Canada's best defenseman by 2006.
F Joe Thornton - it's time he's given the
chance to show what he can do at this level.
F Todd Bertuzzi - he's earned the opportunity
to play with the big boys.
F Vincent Lecavalier - has finally come
into his own and deserves a chance.
F Shane Doan - he was outstanding at the
World Championships, plus he plays for Gretzky
in Phoenix. He'll get the call if Lindros
or Nolan don't.
Coaching Staff
Look for Jacques Martin to take over as
head coach, with Ken Hitchcock, Wayne Fleming
and Mike Pelino to reprise their roles as
assistants. Look for Bob Hartley or Andy
Murray to fill the vacant assistant spot.
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