Eric Staal Named To Canadian Olympic Team
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 30, 2009 12:36 PM EST
85 comments
Eric Staal has not had the best of NHL seasons.
But it did not cost him a spot on Canada's Olympic team.
The Carolina Hurricanes center, slowed by injuries and inconsistency throughout the year, has a body of work — individual and team successes plus clutch performances — that made him a part of the discussion for the Vancouver Olympics since the debate began.
While his play down the stretch and in the postseason last year made him likely part of Canada's plans, his struggles with an upper body ailment and the Hurricanes' poor play cast doubt on his chances.
In the end, Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman decided Staal's body of work was enough to warrant a spot.
Carolina goalie Cam Ward, who was considered a candidate for the third spot in net for Canada following his play last season, did not make the team.
Canada's roster is full of surprises. None of Calgary's big three defensemen (Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf or Robyn Regehr) made the team. Patrice Bergeron, Brendan Morrow, Mike Richards and Staal — all considered on the bubble — made the forward corps. Here's the total roster:
Goalies: Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury and Roberto Luongo
Defense: Dan Boyle, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Chris Pronger (alternate captain), Scott Niedermayer (captain) Shea Weber and Brent Seabrook
Forwards: Patrice Bergeron, Sidney Crosby (alternate captain), Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla (alternate captain), Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews.
Notable snubs: Bouwmeester, Mike Green, Phaneuf, Regehr, Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Mike Fisher.
UPDATE: Here's Eric's take on making the team: Audio
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Way to go Eric!
Cue the negative attacks from certain regular posters on this board, in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1. . .
Just to head that off
Since he’s come back and been healthy Staal has put up good numbers. It’s too bad he was injured early. There’s no telling where this season would be if he preformed like this early in the season. A few extra goals, a little better d and maybe the team buys in early as opposed to not. Oh well, such is life. Here’s hoping the draft is worth it.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Yup...
Recent Staal has been great, if he can keep it up he’ll be rockin’ team Canada.
by Raccoon Fink on Dec 30, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe it will be the fire he needs. He has always performed best when under stress and the open criticism he will get from the Canadian press if he falters will be so different from the the unconditional praise the homers here heap on him it could shock the system, so to speak.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
First off congrats to Eric on making the team…. Second as far as him performing well, the pressure is off. He can go play the best hockey he can, he wont have the pressure of being the star that is underperforming on his back. Here it is noticeable because the Canes’ look to Staal to be the leading scorer, carry the team on his back. Whether it be injury or whatever he hasn’t done that until recently. Also the entire Canes team has been underperforming and to play on lines with other stars can only make him better. He wont have 2 D men climbing his back, the sole focus as far as scoring wont be on him. Will be interesting to watch. Personally I hope he shows exactly what he is capable of, right up until Canada faces USA, then feel free to underperform :)
GO CANES’ GO USA!
Dang!!
That was fast. Have something prepped just in case? Is there a Eric Staal snubbed article? This is like a real news outlet.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Kudos to you on the snubs update already. Are you wasting time at work (cough like me cough), or did you not bother with work today?
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I have noooo idea what you’re talking about…..
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 30, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
What's this work thingy?
there’s this guy at the place I go to blog at that says I owe him some of the “work” stuff or the generous donations to my bank account will stop.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
When i saw Morrow and Richards (they went alphabetically), I thought Staal might not make it.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 30, 2009 12:52 PM EST reply actions
That team may not lose a game. I think only Russia really has a chance against them.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
any truth to this rumor?
THat Finland is about to trade several excess vowels to the Czech Republic for some z’s?
evidently, in Finland, there is an I in team
along with several u’s.
by DidJussiThat? on Dec 30, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I am hoping timmy plays his ass off tomorrow night to show team USA how bad they need him…AKA the Eric Staal 5 Point night tactic
by camwardsaysno on Dec 30, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Sweden’s team has already been named. No Wallin (not a surprise).
Gleason is probably the only person left with a shot. FWIW, I bet Cam is next in line if one of Canada’s goalies gets hurt before the Olympics.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 30, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
When do they name a Taxi Squad?
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t know that much about international play, thought that was always part of the deal, like " Black Aces ".
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
There’s a backdoor chance they could make it into the field…..
I’m here all week, try the veal.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I see the Sandman from Late Night at the Apollo in my future.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
This isn’t helping the Binky-rap:
Eric Staal watches the Team Canada Selection Show with Erik C… on Twitpic
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
At least they are both dressed.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t know they made industrial strength razors????
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Maybe one of the best playoff beards ever.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
" Messin With Colsey "
…kinda has a ring to it.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
ROFL!
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
At least Cole isn’t rubbing Staal’s hair of vice versa.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
We don’t know what happened when they announced his name. ;)
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
you’re evil.
(good one)
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder if they realize how much they feed the “one can’t live without the other” idea.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
“For neither can live while the other survives…”
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 30, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
funny how you search google images for Erik Cole and Eric Staal is in the majority of the pics, weird
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
hey, maybe they're friends
imagine that
by DidJussiThat? on Dec 30, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Can we all go over to Jaspers’ Rink and make them feel bad that Mike Green didn’t make the cut in this prestigious line up and EStaal did? Am I missing it or are there no Caps on Team Canada. (and likely none on Team USA). Russians, a Czech and a Swede I believe.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
I think they have more bragging rights, on the whole, than us right now.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 30, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Kinda why I thought we might as well make the most of the opportunity as it presented itself today.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Gleason's wiki entry
See if you can tell what part of Gleason’s Wikipedia page I … um … supplemented.
would it be this part?? LMAO!!!
League officials have not confirmed that Tim Gleason’s bones are fused with a special uranium/titanium ally which makes him indestructible. Persistent rumors that he dines on glass shards and roofing tacks before games have been confirmed.
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
You’re my new hero!
This is related – this made honorable mention for one of the categories for stories of the year in Puck Daddy. Cullen gets mentioned too. Check it out.
Does Aaron Ward beleive Shanahan vandalized his Wiki?
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
ooooh – um – there’s an idea: do they let you add pictures of the “subject”?
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah you can edit his “profile” photo.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Leighton shut out the Rangers tonight. Granted, the Rangers (except for Gaborik) make every backup and AHL callup in the league look like Martin Brodeur and Leighton really wasn’t challenged at all, but a shut out is a shut out.
from #3 backing up Ward and Legace to the Winter Classic in 2 1/2 weeks. Leights and the hockey gods have apparently cut a deal.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Leighton
I would expect Leighton ultimately to melt down; but he is a really nice person and has plenty of potential. I hope he has a great career with Philadelphia; but I am not regretting in the least, the decision to waive him.
Another HockeyBuzz Gem
The latest HockeyBuzz Trade has Eric Staal going to Buffalo for Roy plus something or Vanek plus something. The funny thing is that it isn’t from Eklund. I guess everyone that writes for them is either grossly misinformed or completely full of sh*t.
Way to go Staal, congrats on making Team Canada. Here’s to you adding a Gold to your Stanley Cup. Despite all the rumors, I hope to see you, Sutter, and Cam in a Canes sweater for many years to come.
by PackPride17 on Dec 30, 2009 11:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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