Olympic Hockey: Canada, Gold is the only option
You would think they are the home team with all the pressure put on them. And if that wasn't bad enough, now their executive director, Wayne Gretzky, is putting more pressure on them! Meet team Canada.
Yeah, there's pressure on Russia to win, but think about this, though.
Your country sends down one of the largest number of athletes marching into the Olympic Stadium for opening ceremonies.
Back home, though, only one team matters, and only one team is the talk at water coolers across Canada and how they better win that medal.
"That" medal, folks, is one color -- gold. Silver and bronze are definitely note an option this time.
In the last Olympics, Canada wasn't even in medal contention, and the good folks in the true north don't want a repeat of that.
Especially since the Olympics are basically in their own back yard. Nothing less than a gold medal will do.
So serious are they about winning, that they hired Wayne Gretzky to be their executive director. Joining him is Edmonton Oiler general manager, Kevin Lowe.
Both of them were teammates on those great Oilers' teams of the '80s, but neither of them are skating for Canada. Will that Edmonton magic rub off on some of these players? Will they bring home the gold?
People from Prince Edward Island to the Northwest Territory sure hope so.
In October, I spotlighted some possible Olympians. Now here are some other members of Team Canada that you need to know.
Eric Brewer, Edmonton Oilers
The former New York Islander was on a road trip to Philadelphia when he received a call from GM Kevin Lowe, who told him don't make any plans from February 14-24 because he was going to Salt Lake City.
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers
Sometimes good news can come in strange ways. Eric Brewer wasn't the only Oiler to receive a call from Kevin Lowe. Only Ryan wasn't on that plane with Eric. He was at home, resting his fractured right ankle.
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers
Forget those images of the Flyers you have. Not all of them can pack a mean fist. Simon is pretty good around the net.
Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars
He's won two Stanley Cups. First with Calgary, then with Dallas. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. Oh, and he's no dummy, either. He attended Cornell University.
Owen Nolan, San Jose Sharks
He's the captain of the Sharks and even though he's representing Canada, he was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Adam Foote, Colorado Avalanche
He's won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche. Next to the goaltender's equipment, this "stay at home" defenseman is a goaltenders' best friend.
Scott Niedermeyer, New Jersey Devils
He's won two Stanley Cups in his career with the Devils. He's one of the fastest skating defensemen in the NHL.
For the Canadian team -- never has so much been expected by so many. Now just imagine if the 2002 Olympics had been held in Canada.
Your country sends down one of the largest number of athletes marching into the Olympic Stadium for opening ceremonies.
Back home, though, only one team matters, and only one team is the talk at water coolers across Canada and how they better win that medal.
"That" medal, folks, is one color -- gold. Silver and bronze are definitely note an option this time.
In the last Olympics, Canada wasn't even in medal contention, and the good folks in the true north don't want a repeat of that.
Especially since the Olympics are basically in their own back yard. Nothing less than a gold medal will do.
So serious are they about winning, that they hired Wayne Gretzky to be their executive director. Joining him is Edmonton Oiler general manager, Kevin Lowe.
Both of them were teammates on those great Oilers' teams of the '80s, but neither of them are skating for Canada. Will that Edmonton magic rub off on some of these players? Will they bring home the gold?
People from Prince Edward Island to the Northwest Territory sure hope so.
In October, I spotlighted some possible Olympians. Now here are some other members of Team Canada that you need to know.
Eric Brewer, Edmonton Oilers
The former New York Islander was on a road trip to Philadelphia when he received a call from GM Kevin Lowe, who told him don't make any plans from February 14-24 because he was going to Salt Lake City.
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers
Sometimes good news can come in strange ways. Eric Brewer wasn't the only Oiler to receive a call from Kevin Lowe. Only Ryan wasn't on that plane with Eric. He was at home, resting his fractured right ankle.
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers
Forget those images of the Flyers you have. Not all of them can pack a mean fist. Simon is pretty good around the net.
Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars
He's won two Stanley Cups. First with Calgary, then with Dallas. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. Oh, and he's no dummy, either. He attended Cornell University.
Owen Nolan, San Jose Sharks
He's the captain of the Sharks and even though he's representing Canada, he was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Adam Foote, Colorado Avalanche
He's won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche. Next to the goaltender's equipment, this "stay at home" defenseman is a goaltenders' best friend.
Scott Niedermeyer, New Jersey Devils
He's won two Stanley Cups in his career with the Devils. He's one of the fastest skating defensemen in the NHL.
For the Canadian team -- never has so much been expected by so many. Now just imagine if the 2002 Olympics had been held in Canada.
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