Olympic Hockey: Russia, Silver won't do this time.

So you think expectations are high in Canada, eh? Try putting yourselves in the skates of the Russian players.

Their coach, former NHL player, Slava Fetisov, was hand picked by no less than Russian President, Vladimir Putin. (Can you imagine President Bush hand picking the USA hockey coach? No? Me neither.)

Before the Czech Republic got to be the "grand poobah" of Olympic hockey, there were the Russians.

In the last Olympics, Russia lost the gold medal to the Czech Republic. To add insult to injury, they didn't just lose, they were shutout by Dominic Hasek in goal.

As with the Czech Republic team, some Russian players names may sound familiar to you, even if you can't for the life of you, pronounce those names!

Let's get to know some members of Team Russia.

Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers

The Thrashers aren't exactly burning up the league, but come this summer, Kovalchuk may just walk off with the trophy for the Rookie of the Year in the NHL.

Alexei Kovalevm, Pittsburgh Penguins

He may just make Penguin fans forget Jaromir Jagr. (Yeah, right.) He's scored winning goals for Pittsburgh against all three New York/New Jersey area teams.

Oleg Kvasha, New York Islanders

He's six-feet, five-inches tall and 230 pounds. He's one dude you don't want to mess with, especially with a hockey stick in his hand.

Igor Larionov, Detroit Red Wings

Now 41 years old, Larionov, who was a teammate on the Russian Red Army team with coach, Slava Fetisov, is one of the veterans on a Detroit team that has several. He is the Russian team captain.

Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins

Along with teamate, Joe Thornton, he has the Boston Bruin faithful thinking about the Stanley Cup.

Alexei Zhamnov, Chicago Black Hawks

He's not only an NHL veteran, but Zhamnov won a gold medal for Russia in the 1992 Olympics.

Darius Kasparaitus, Pittsburgh Penguins

He's the player you love to hate -- except if he's on your team

Oleg Tverdovsky Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

You know Paul Kariya. Tverdovsky is the slick passing defenseman on the Mighty Ducks that you've never heard of.

Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay Lightning

The "Bulin Wall" didn't play for Russia in the last Olympics and many people felt if he had, the Czech Republic might not have won the gold medal.

Can the "Big Red Hockey Machine" come back to Olympic hockey greatness?

That's what a lot of people from Moscow to St. Petersburg are hoping.