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Originally Posted by CTVOlympics.ca
Hockey Canada unveils men's camp invites
The list of invitees for Canada's 2010 Olympic men's hockey team orientation camp features a mix of Olympic veterans and young up-and-comers.
On Thursday, Hockey Canada released a roster of 46 players who have been invited to the camp, including five goaltenders, 16 defencemen and 25 forwards. The camp will run from August 24-27 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.
The list of players includes 40 players with senior international experience, either at the Olympics, IIHF World Championship or World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup, while 36 of the 46 players played for either the National Junior Team or National Men's Under-18 Team.
The list of five goalies includes three-time Olympian Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils), and 2006 Olympian Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks). Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury has been invited, as have Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes). Two-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Osgood was not invited, although many had debated his chances during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Just five of the 16 defencemen invited have Olympic experience: Jay Bouwmeester (Calgary Flames), Dan Boyle (San Jose Sharks), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers), and Robyn Regehr (Calgary Flames). Dion Phaneuf of the Flames gets his shot after being left off the 2006 roster for his youth. Rounding out the mix on defence are: Marc Staal (New York Rangers), Shea Weber (Nashville Predators), François Beauchemin (Anaheim Ducks), Brent Burns (Minnesota Wild), Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Stéphane Robidas (Dallas Stars), Mike Green (Washington Capitals), Dan Hamhuis (Nashville Predators), and Chicago Blackhawks duo Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.
Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby highlights the list of forwards. The group of 25 has 11 from the 2006 Olympic team roster, including Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes), Simon Gagné (Philadelphia Flyers), Dany Heatley (Ottawa Senators), Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames), Rick Nash (Columbusn Blue Jackets), Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche), Martin St-Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning), Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes), Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche). Youngsters getting a chance are: Jeff Carter (Philadelphia Flyers), Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins), Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks), Andy McDonald (St. Louis Blues), Brenden Morrow (Dallas Stars), Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) Michael Richards (Philadelphia Flyers), Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres), Patrick Sharp (Chicago Blackhawks), Jordan Staal (Thunder Bay, Ont./Pittsburgh, NHL) Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg, Man./Chicago, NHL) and Dan Cleary, who has impressed with the Detroit Red Wings. One youngster not included on the list is Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos, who drew attention during his performance at the 2009 world championship.
"[Stamkos] was a guy we debated down to the last minute," said Yzerman, noting that the depth at the centre position made it tough to narrow the forward group. "He'll still be a player I watch this fall."
Although three-time Olympian Sakic has been injured and missed much of the 2008-09 season, executive director Yzerman said he is a big part of this list.
"He's been such a great player and an example to the young guys," said Yzerman. If he's playing at the time, I want him at the camp."
One name that few experts had on their projected rosters was Boston's Milan Lucic, who has impressed with his muscle of late.
"He has potential to really add a dimension to this team that could really be beneficial," said Yzerman. "He's not there just because he's a big, strong guy."
Players not invited to the orientation camp can still be considered for both the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and 2010 IIHF World Championship. Although the 2002 and 2006 Olympic teams were comprised entirely of players who had been invited to camp.
"I'm very impressed with this list, and I think anyone that's a fan of Canadian hockey should be impressed," said Olympic hockey analyst Pierre McGuire. "They haven't missed anyone at any of the positions, I think that's a very strong list."
Calgary was chosen as the city for the camp over Vancouver -- site of the 2010 Olympics -- because Calgary is where the women's team and the sledge hockey team will also be training in August, and Hockey Canada wanted the unique opportunity to have the three gathered in one city.
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