That's what friends are for

By Josie Lemieux Sports Central Columnist "We control fifty percent of a relationship. We influence one hundred percent of it." -- Barbara Colorose

Wayne Gretzky played the best hockey of all-time. That's granted, but he has never been an Executive Director. As for ex-Edmonton Oilers Kevin Lowe, he is now the team's General Manager, an assistant to Gretzky for the Winter Olympics but also -- and most important of all -- one of his best pals. They played, rubbed shoulders in planes and buses all around North America, and they won the Stanley Cup together. A very special bond.

Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn will have the honor of being behind the bench. Not only will he coach the most performing Canadian players to this day -- he has complete control and seized the opportunity of a first Olympic experience. Why not? But explain how he got to that position? Great coach? What is Scotty Bowman supposed to be?

Scotty Bowman is the most successful head coach in NHL history and was recently referred to as the greatest coach in any professional sport by Sports Illustrated! This eight-time Stanley Cup winner would have been an excellent choice for an obvious reason: he's to coaching what Ray Bourque has been to defense. Been there, done that. He would have coached just the best of all, as usual. He would have made it better. End of discussion.

About complete objectiveness for Team Canada? Why not choosing Pat Burns for head coach? Sounds silly? Not that much. He masters coaching, was very appreciated by most of his players, and guaranteed at least four years of service everywhere he went (Montreal, Toronto, Boston). He has a career record for 12 NHL seasons of 412 wins, 314 losses, and 123 tied. But most important of all and probably the most crucial point in selecting staff, Burns would have had no favoritism; no personal pressure of bringing any particular player on the Olympic rink since he did not return after his recent experience with the Boston Bruins.

Here is a living example of internal pressure: if Kevin Lowe does not bring Oilers Ryan Smith in the Olympic adventure, will Smith resent it? Without a doubt, retaliation is possible and bad performances in Edmonton could be the result. Who would take such a risk of letting the best player on your team feel forgotten and mistreated? No exit.

Let's not forget that Curtis Joseph will be an unrestricted free agent next year. The Toronto Maple Leafs will certainly not let the Olympics ruin their business relationship with their best player besides Mats Sundin. Major problem: the heart of hockey is in Toronto. Think about the Hall of Fame and the NHL offices. Think about Pat Quinn, the Leafs coach, leaving you with only one thought: his star goalie Curtis Joseph should be at the 2002 Winter Olympics, but not as a third goaltender. Mission complete: anyway, Patrick Roy quit and won't be there.

Who knows Patrick Roy's personality and temper better than the NHL? Is Patrick Roy so predictable that Team Canada management wanted to show Roy the door simply because they know how tempered he can be? As weeks went by without being officially selected, Roy's ego turned cold. Impatience got over him, and he decided not to go. How can you solve an issue with Roy? Be patient with his impatience. No matter how long it takes, no matter what it will cost, it will pay off. All they had to do was to wait for Roy to do exactly as he did on his last day in Montreal, after being removed from a game by coach Mario Tremblay: he went to the Habs' President seated behind the bench, in front of all cameras and said goodbye. He did not allow himself to wait any longer that night. Why should he wait more on this matter?

Mario Lemieux did not have to wait for anything. After three years of retirement, he had a great comeback in December 2000; one of the major -- and most pleasant -- events in NHL history. With all the respect given to Lemieux, the greatest player in the world, how can he be named three or four months -- after being back -- as captain of the Olympic team, while Roy, with all his world records, great stats, and awesome techniques, never had that opportunity? The Lemieux nomination was a great idea and it is clearly justified. But how can it be so difficult to select the best goalie in the world after such a dedicated move towards Lemieux? Is there a difference, is there really a difference? The only difference is the same: Curtis Joseph.

Did the Czech Republic wonder if Dominik Hasek would be as good as last year before selecting him? No doubt, he is the best. That is all. Selected. Why did the Team Canada staff need to wait for anything regarding Roy? Give me a break.

Kevin Lowe mentioned that two of the contenders to make the team -- New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and Ed Belfour of the Dallas Stars -- have struggled this season and no final decision has been made on which goaltenders will go to Salt Lake City. What is struggling, according to Lowe? Brodeur's statistics are indeed not as good as the previous years, but statistics are only useful to justify Lowe's allegations. And what about Gretzky's statement on television channels about Roy's absence: "I am more surprised than deceived?" This brought Pat Burns -- and the Quebec province -- into a national fury and Gretzky's image faded for a lot of hockey commentators and analysts. But does he really care?

The best way to avoid enemies is to make friends of them. Who owns the Phoenix Coyotes? Wayne Gretzky. Who is the No. 1 goalie in Phoenix? Sean Burke. Who is the Executive Director of Team Canada? Wayne Gretzky. Who feels that Burke should be a part of the Olympic Team? Take a guess. Considering another player would be a flying in the face of Burke, with his very good stats. Why? Simple: it is clear that Roy's absence and Brodeur's ordinary data sheet paved the way for other goalies. One obstacle, though: Gretzky, as an owner, has no choice but to consider Burke. Who's got the power?

The organizing principle of any Olympic team staff, throughout all the preparation, should be to let the best athletes of their country give their best for one specific goal: the pride of winning a gold medal. But this year, controversy, nonsense and rumors took the major part of the sport spirit. This is a deal that will work for Gretzky's buddies. The authority of Team Canada staff, towards its players and fans, resides in only one specific power: backroom deals.

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend." -- Albert Camus

Article courtesy of Sports Central.