Are You Ready? 2010 Olympic Hockey Preview

UPDATED INJURIES and ROSTER CHANGES - FEB 16, 2010

Canucks with Pucks is proud to present you with the Complete Rosters of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Men's Hockey Teams.

There will be 12 Nations vying for Olympic gold this winter and the preliminary rounds will be divided as follows.

Group A:  Canada, USA, Switzerland, Norway

Group B:  Russia, Czech Replublic, Slovakia, Latvia
Group C:  Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Germany


The 18 Game Preliminary Schedule begins February 16th and teams are ranked accordingly following the completion of this schedule. 

This BLOG ENTRY will be updated with any roster changes, injuries or relevant Olympic news.  Enjoy!
Changes are in BOLD BLUE

Team Canada



INTERESTING FACTS:

• Since Men's Ice Hockey became a sport at the Olympic Winter Games the Canadian Men's Team has won 7 Gold Medals (1920, '24, '28, '32, '48, '52, 2002), 4 Silver Medals ('36, '60, '92, '94) and 2 Bronze Medals ('56, '68). Canadian Men's Hockey will be attending their 20th Olympic Games
• IIHF Rank:  2
• Team Canada has 12 players aged 25 or younger and 15 who are attending their first ever Olympics.
• Since adopting the format where NHL players could attend in 1998, the Canadians have only medalled once and it was GOLD in 2002 Salt Lake City.  Canada failed to reach the podium in both 1998 and 2006
• Key Injuries:  Getzlaf (nursing a minor ankle injury - keep an eye on him)
• Key Omissions:  Bouwmeester (elite shutdown man), M. Green (leading NHL in defenceman scoring), Dion Phaneuf, sniper Carter , set-up man St. Louis,  Lecavalier, Brad Richards (3rd in NHL assists, 7th in Points), Steven Stamkos (7th in NHL goals, 16th in Points), Marc Savard, Spezza and many many more.

ROSTER
G - Martin Brodeur             06.05.1972  New Jersey Devils
G - Marc-André Fleury       28.11.1984  Pittsburgh Penguins
G - Roberto Luongo            04.04.1979  Vancouver Canucks


D - Dan Boyle                     12.07.1976  San Jose Sharks
D - Drew Doughty               08.12.1989  Los Angeles Kings
D - Duncan Keith                16.07.1983  Chicago Blackhawks
D - Scott Niedermayer        31.08.1973  Anaheim Ducks
D - Chris Pronger                10.10.1974  Philadelphia Flyers
D - Brent Seabrook             20.04.1985  Chicago Blackhawks
D - Shea Weber                  14.08.1985  Nashville Predators


F - Patrice Bergeron           24.07.1985  Boston Bruins
F - Sidney Crosby              07.08.1987  Pittsburgh Penguins
F - Ryan Getzlaf                 10.05.1985  Anaheim Ducks
F - Dany Heatley                21.01.1981  San Jose Sharks
F - Jarome Iginla                 01.07.1977  Calgary Flames
F - Patrick Marleau            15.09.1979  San Jose Sharks
F - Brenden Morrow          16.01.1979  Dallas Stars
F - Rick Nash                     16.06.1984  Columbus Blue Jackets
F - Corey Perry                  16.05.1985  Anaheim Ducks
F - Mike Richards               11.02.1985  Philadelphia Flyers
F - Eric Staal                       29.10.1984  Carolina Hurricanes
F - Joe Thornton                 02.07.1979  San Jose Sharks
F - Jonathan Toews            29.04.1988  Chicago Blackhawks

TEAM USA

INTERESTING FACTS:

• The Americans are entering their 21st Olympics (most by any nation) as underdogs due to their youth but I think they could surprise HUGE.
• IIHF Rank: 5
• Their success in the Games can be contributed by 2 Golds (1960, '80 - Miracle on Ice), 7 Silvers (1920, '24, '32, '52, '56, '72, 2002) and 1 Bronze (1936)
• The average age of the U.S. roster is 26.5.  Returning players include:  Drury, Rafalski and Langenbrunner.
• Key Omissions from team USA include:  Okposo, Oshie, Guerin, Gionta,  Modano, Tkachuk , Weight, Rolston, Connolly, Gomez, Umberger, and van Riemsdyk
• Key Injuries:  Mike Komasarek, Paul Martin - both have withdrawn from the tournament

ROSTER
G - Ryan Miller (BUF), Jonathon Quick (LOS), Tim Thomas (BOS)
D - Erik Johnson (STL), Jack Johnson (LOS), Tim Gleason (CAR), Ryan Whitney (ANA), Brooks Orpik (PIT), Brian Rafalski (DET), Ryan Suter (NSH)
F - David Backes (STL), Dustin Brown (LOS), Ryan Callahan (NYR), Chris Drury (NYR), Patrick Kane (CHI), Ryan Kesler (VAN), Phil Kessel (TOR), Jamie Langenbrunner (NJD), Ryan Malone (TBL), Zach Parise (NJD), Joe Pavelski (SJS), Bobby Ryan (ANA), Paul Stastny (COL)

TEAM RUSSIA

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Soviet Union has won 7 Gold Medals (1956, '64, '68, '72, '76, '84, '88), 1 Silver as Soviets (1980), 1 Silver as Russia (1998), 1 Bronze as Soviets (1960) and 1 Bronze as Russia (2002).  Russia has yet to win GOLD since their Indepence in 1991 - look for them to be HOT!
• IIHF Rank: 1
• The Russian team is composed of players from the two best leagues in the world - NHL (14 players) and the KHL (9 players).  Salavat Yulayev Ufa is represented the most with 4 players and its coaching tandem as well.
• Sergei Gonchar is playing in his 4th Olympics.  The following players are returning for their 3rd Olympics - Bryzgalov, Markov, Afinogenov, Datsyuk, Fedorov, and Kovalchuk
• Key Injuries:  none yet

ROSTER

G - Ilya Bryzgalov (PHX), Evgeni Nabokov (SJS), Semyon Varlamov (WSH)
D - Sergei Gonchar (PIT), Denis Grebeshkov (EDM), Dmitri Kalinin (KHL), Konstantin Korneyev (KHL), Andrei Markov (MTL), Ilya Nikulin (KHL), Fedor Tyutin (CLB), Anton Volchenkov (OTT)
F - Maxim Afinogenov (ATL), Pavel Datsyuk (DET), Sergei Fedorov (KHL), Ilya Kovalchuk (ATL), Viktor Kozlov (ATL), Evgeni Malkin (PIT), Alexei Morozov (KHL), Alexander Ovechkin (WSH), Alexander Radulov (KHL), Alexander Semin (WSH), Danis Zaripov (KHL), Sergei Zinoviev (KHL)

TEAM SWEDEN




INTERESTING FACTS:

• Sweden's Olympic Medal Count includes 2 Golds (1994, 2006), 2 Silvers (1926, '64) and 4 Bronze (1952, '80, '84, '88) in 19 showings.
• IIHF Rank: 3
• Sweden can pride itself for having the most europeans in the NHL.  Team Sweden has 19 players from the NHL, 3 from the Swedish Elitserien League (SEL) and 1 from the Russian KHL.
• Daniel Alfreddson and Niklas Lidstrom are playing in their 4th Olympics.
• Sweden has 13 returning players from the 2006 Turrin Gold Medal Championship team.
• Key Injuries:

ROSTER
G - Jonas Gustavsson (TOR), Stefan Liv (SEL), Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)
D - Tobias Enstrom (ATL), Magnus Johansson (SEL), Niklas Kronwall (DET), Niklas Listrom (DET), Douglas Murray (SJS), Johnny Oduya (NJD), Mattias Ohlund (TBL), Henrik Tallinder (BUF)
F - Daniel Alfredsson (OTT), Niklas Backstrom (WSH), Loui Eriksson (DAL), Peter Forsberg (SEL), Johan Franzen (DET), Patric Hornqvist (NSH), Fredrik Modin (CLB), Samuel Pahlsson (CLB), Henrik Sedin (VAN), Daniel Sedin (VAN), Mattias Weinhandl (KHL), Henrik Zetterberg (DET)

TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC




INTERESTING FACTS:

• Czech Republic was the historic winners of Gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games when NHLers were first allowed to play for their respective nations. The Czech's also won Bronze in 2006.
• IIHF Rank: 6
• Jaromir Jagr is the lone representative from the 1998 Gold Medal Team.  Sixteen players come from NHL clubs, while 5 are members of the KHL.
• Key Injuries:  none

ROSTER
G - Ondrej Pavelec (ATL), Jakub Stepanek (CZE), Tomas Vokoun (FLA)
D - Miroslav Blatak (KHL), Jan Hejda (CLB), Tomas Kaberle (TOR), Filip Kuba (OTT), Pavel Kubina (ATL), Zbynek Michalek (PHX), Roman Polak (STL), Marek Zidlicky (MIN)
F - Petr Cajanek (KHL), Roman Cervenka (KHL), Patrik Elias (NJD), Martin Erat (NSH), Tomas Fleischmann (WSH), Martin Havlat (MIN), Jaromir Jagr (KHL), David Krejci (BOS), Milan Michalek (OTT), Tomas Plekanec (MTL), Tomas Rolinek (KHL), Josef Vasicek (KHL)



TEAM FINLAND




INTERESTING FACTS: 

• Finland has earned silver medals twice (1988 and 2006) and bronze twice (1994 and 1998)
• IIHF Rank: 4
• Jere Lehtonen and Teemu Selanne will be participating in their 5th Olympic Winter Games (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010).  Ville Peltonen returns as the Finnish all time leading games played (241) and highest goals scored (78) in international play.
• There are 18 NHL representatives, 4 KHL representatives and 1 from Sweden.
• Key Injuries:  none

ROSTER
G - Niklas Backstrom (MIN), Mikko Kiprusoff (CGY), Antero Nittymaki (TBL)
D - Lasse Lukunen (KHL), Sami Lepisto (PHX), Toni Lydman (BUF), Janne Niskala (SEL), Joni Pitkanen (CAR), Sami Salo (VAN), Kimmo Timonen (PHI)
F - Valtteri Filppula (DET), Niklas Hagman (TOR), Jarkko Immonen (KHL), Olli Jokinen (CGY), Niko Kapanen (KHL), Mikko Koivu (MIN), Saku Koivu (ANA), Jere Lehtinen (DAL), Antti Miettenen (MIN), Ville Peltonen (KHL), Jarko Ruutu (OTT), Tuomu Ruutu (CAR), Teemu Selanne (ANA)

TEAM GERMANY




INTERESTING FACTS: 

• Germany has placed on the Podium twice in Olympic Men's Hockey - 1932 (Bronze) and 1976 (Bronze as West Germany). 
• IIHF Rank: 12
• Germany is represented by 7 North American players (6 NHL, 1 AHL) while the remaining 16 players hail from the German League (DEL)
• Only two NHL players were snubbed by the Germans (but remain as alternates) - Jochen Hecht and Christoph Schubert.

ROSTER
G - Dennis Endras (DEL), Thomas Greiss (SJS), Dimitri Patzold (DEL)
D - Michael Bakos (DEL), Christian Erhoff (VAN), Jakub Ficenec (DEL), Jason Holland (DEL), Korbinian Holzer (DEL), Chris Schmidt (Spengler Cup), Denis Seidenberg (FLA), Alexander Sulzer (NSH), Cheers,
F - Alexander Barta (DEL), Sven Felski (DEL), Marcel Goc (NSH), Philip Gogulla (AHL), Thomas Greilinger (DEL), Manuel Klinge (DEL), Marcel Müller (DEL), Travis James Mulock (DEL), André Rankel (DEL), Marco Sturm (BOS), John Tripp (DEL), Michael Wolf (DEL)  


TEAM SWITZERLAND






INTERESTING FACTS:

• Switzerland is participating in their 15th Olympic Games and to date they have captured two bronze medals (1928, '48).
• \IIHF Rank: 7
• Sixteen of the 23 players play in the Swiss National League A, followed by the NHL (2), AHL (2), Russia (1), Sweden (1) and the WHL (1).
• Two Canadian-born players are not part of the team. Paul DiPietro and Ryan Gardner were not included, but there’s a new Canadian-born player. Hnat Domenichelli is the only roster player that is not Swiss-trained.

ROSTER
G - Martin Gerber (KHL), Jonas Hiller (ANA), Tobias Stephan (Swiss-A)

D - Goran Bezina (Swiss-A), Severin Blindenbacher (SEL), Rafiel Diaz (Swiss-A), Roman Josi (Swiss-A), Luca Sbisa (ANA/WHL), Mathias Segar (Swiss-A), Mark Streit (NYI), Yannick Weber (MTL/AHL)

F - Andres Ambühl (AHL), Thomas Déruns (Swiss-A), Hnat Domenichelli (Swiss-A), Sandy Jeannin (Swiss A), Thibaut Monnet (Swiss-A), Thierry Paterlini (Swiss A), Martin Plüss (Swiss A), Kevin Romy (Swiss A), Ivo Rüthemann (Swiss A), Raffaele Sannitz (Swiss A), Julien Sprunger (Swiss A), Roman Wick (Swiss A)

TEAM LATVIA




INTERESTING FACTS: 

• Since it's independence from Soviet Union in 1991, Latvia has competed in the Winter Olympics twice in 2002 (9th place finish) and Turrin 2006.
• IIHF Rank:  9
• 15 of Latvia's 23 man roster comes from Dinamo Riga - the Latvian team in the Russian KHL League.  The remaining players come from the NHL (2), AHL (2), German League (2) and the Russian KHL (2)
• Former NHL Defenceman Sandis Ozolinsh has returned from retirement at the age of 37 to be the top scoring defenceman for Dinamo but was LEFT off of the Latvian team.

ROSTER
G - Edgars Magaslkis (KHL), ErvinsMustukovs (KHL), Sergejs Naumovs (KHL)
D - Oskars Bartulis (PHI),Guntis Galvins (KHL),Rodrigo Lavins (KHL),Georgijs Pujacs (KHL),Krisjanis Redlihs (KHL), Arvids Rekis (DEL), Karlis Skrastins (DAL), Kristaps Sotnieks (KHL)
F- Ankipans (KHL), Armands Berzins (KHL), Martins Cipulis (KHL), Lauris Darzins (KHL), Kaspars Daugavins (AHL/OTT), Martins Karsums (AHL), Gints Meija (KHL), Aleksandrs Nizivijs (KHL), Mikelis Redlihs (KHL), Aleksejs Sirokovs(KHL), Amur Khabarovsk (KHL), Janis Sprukts (KHL), Herberts Vasiljevs (DEL)

TEAM NORWAY

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Norway has qualified for the Olympics 9 times and their best finish was 8th in 1972.  Norway is returning to Men's Olympic hockey for the first time since 1994.
• IIHF Rank: 11
• The Swedish Elitserien (SEL) continues to be the most popular destination for the best Norwegian players. Eleven players come from Swedish top-league teams, followed by the Norwegian league (6) and the German DEL (3). Norway will use one player from each of the following: the NHL, the KHL, and Finland.

ROSTER
G - Pål Grotnes, Andre Lysenstøen (FIN2), Ruben Smith
D - Alexander Bonsaksen (SEL), Jonas Holøs (SEL), Tommy Jakobsen, Juha Kaunismäki, Lars Erik Lund, Ole Kristian Tollefsen (PHI)
F - Mats Trygg (DEL), Mats Zuccarello Aasen (SEL), Morten Ask (DEL), Anders Bastiansen (SEL), Kristian Forsberg (SEL), Mads Hansen (SEL), Marius Holtet (SEL), Mathis Olimb (SEL), Martin Røymark (SEL), Per-Åge Skrøder (SEL), Lars Erik Spets, Patrick Thoresen (KHL), Tore Vikingstad (DEL), Martin Laumann Ylven (SEL)

TEAM SLOVAKIA




INTERESTING FACTS:

• Slovakia's best finish at the Olympics was in Turrin 2006 as they placed 5th.  This will be Slovakia's 5th appearance.
• IIHF Rank:  10
• Slovakia is made up of 13 NHLers, 8 KHLers, 1 player from the Swiss League and Ziggy Palffy is the lone representative from the Slovak Extraliga.  Two Slovakian NHLers were left off of the team - Marek Svatos (COL) and Boris Valabik (ATL).
• Miroslav Satan and Lubomir Visnovsky are entering their 4th olympics. Lubos Bartecko, Pavol Demitra, Marian Hossa and Jozef Stümpel will be three time Olympians following Vancouver.  Tomas Kopecky of the Blackhawks will be participating in his first Olympic Games.
• Key Injuries:none

ROSTER
G - Peter Budaj (COL), Jaroslav Halak (MTL), Rastislav Stana (KHL)
D - Zdeno Chara (BOS), Milan Jurcina (CLB), Richard Lintner (KHL), Andrej Meszaros (TBL), Andrej Sekera (BUF), Martin Strbak (KHL), Lubomir Visnovsky (EDM)
F - Lubos Bartecko (Swiss-A), Martin Cibak (KHL), Pavol Demitra (VAN), Marion Gaborik (NYR), Michal Handzus (LOS), Marcel Hossa (KHL), Marian Hossa (CHI), Tomas Kopecky (CHI), Zigmund Palffy (KHL), Branko Radivojevic (KHL), Miroslav Satan (BOS), Jozef Stümpel (KHL), Richard Zednik (KHL)

TEAM BELARUS



INTERESTING FACTS:

• Vancouver will be the 3rd ever Olympics for Belarus.  Their best showing was in 2002 Salt Lake City where they beat Sweden to finish 4th.
• IIHF Rank:  8
• Brother's Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn, Mikael Grabovski and Ruslan Salei are the only representatives from NHL clubs.  In the past, Grabovski and the Kostitsyn have shown some hostility among each other.  It could be interesting.
• Seven (7) players come from Dynamo Minsk, the Belarusian entry in the KHL.
• Key Injuries:  Andrei Kostitsyn, Ruslan Salei (3 of the 4 NHLers)

ROSTER
G - Vitali Koval (KHL), Maxim Malyutin (KHL), Andrei Mezin (KHL)
D - Andrei Antonov (KHL), Andrei Bashko (KHL), Vladimir Denisov (KHL), Viktor Kostiuchenok (KHL), Ruslan Salei (COL), Nikolai Stasenko (KHL), Vadim Sushko (KHL), Alexander Syrei (KHL)
F - Oleg Antonenko (KHL), Sergei Demagin (KHL), Mikhail Grabovsky (TOR), Alexei Kaliuzhny (KHL), Konstantin Koltsov (KHL), Andrei Kostitsyn (MTL), Sergei Kostitsyn (MTL), Alexander Kulakov (KHL), Andrei Mikhalev (KHL), Andrei Stas (KHL), Alexei Ugarov (KHL), Sergei Zadelenov (KHL)


Vancouver will host thousands of athletes but as Canadians, we will be eager to tune into the hockey events where the world's best hockey players will be on display.  Hopefully the above information will help increase your knowledge and stimulate your interest in this year's Winter Games. Go ahead, paint and drape yourself in red and white and cheer on our men (and women) as we attempt to regain our spot atop the hockey podium(s).

GO CANADA GO

Cheers,Canucks with Pucks