We have always referred to hockey as Canada’s game but that just doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. After only two Canadian team made it into the post season only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs I think it’s time to start taking other teams and other countries seriously.
Canada has fallen to fifth in IIHF world ranking. FIFTH!!! We were number one in 2010 when we won the Olympics but since that gold medal win we have come up short, finding ourselves eliminated in back-to-back Quarterfinal match-ups. Finland is ranked number one in the world right now and they are followed by second ranked Sweden, third ranked Russia and fourth ranked Czech Republic.
Canada has won gold 24 times, silver 13 and bronze 9 since the IIHF’s began in 1920. We use to dominate the tournament and now we are lucky to make it into the semi finals. In the last 10 years Canada has won the gold medal three times which is nothing to be ashamed about but in five of those years Canada never even made it to the podium, including the last two years.
Will Canada be able to redeem themselves this year? Here’s a look at who will be representing Canada this year as they try to bring Canada back to number one!
Team Canada Roster:
Goaltenders:
Devin Dubnyk, Edmonton Oilers
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
Defenseman:
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Marc Methot, Columbus Blue Jackets
Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs
Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs
P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks
Forwards:
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets
Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers
Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado Avalanche
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
Teddy Purcell, Tampa Bay Lightning
Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Head Coach: Brent Sutter
Assistant Coaches: Kirk Muller, Guy Boucher
Executive Director: Steve Yzerman
These young men will do there best to bring Canada back to the top of IIHF rankings. These rankings have extra importance this year because they will be used to make the groupings for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi Russia.
I’m more than just confident in where we’ll be in the rankings by the end of this tournament. I love the Mgmt team we put together, and I am confident they’ll convey the right message to our boys in preparing them.
This team is a good mix of youth and experience. We certainly don’t lack Leadership in this Dressing Room. I’m feeling this team will come together quickly, and represent us with all the pride We carry as fans of the greatest Hockey Nation in the world…. regardless of “rankings” !!
CANADA”S GAME IS HOCKEY ..AND ALWAYS WILL BE !!! It was born here… and WE are STILL the Best Hockey Nation on The Planet…. That being said .. Every American Team that wins the Stanley Cup do so because their teams are mostly made up of CANADIANS …nuff said … Not to mention The Stanley Cup LIVES in TORONTO CANADA at The Hockey Hall Of Fame..lol