Golf Course 4

Team Canada is looking to repeat thier Gold Medal performance in Turin in the upcoming Olympics. The 2002 Victory in Salt Lake City over USA was the first on 50 yrs for the country that brought this great game to life. Canada along with the Czech Republic and Russia are the early favorites, but in the Olympics one-game situation a lot of teams have a chance to surprise anybody. (Belarus’ stunning win over Sweden in the 2002 Olympic quarterfinals)

Canada appears to be the team to beat and Brodeur is the main reason. Martin Broduer has a long list of accomplishments and a solid record in goal. In addition to the 2002 Olympic win, he also led Canada

to the World Cup title a year ago, is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and the winner of the Vezina Trophy the last two seasons as the NHL’s best goalie.

Canada also has forwards Dany Heatley (Ottawa) and Joe Thornton (San Jose), who are perenial top 5 goal leaders in the NHL this year.

The Team Canada Roster and the Great White North version of the “Dream Team”

Goaltenders
30 Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
1 Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
35 Marty Turco, Dallas Stars

Defence
4 Rob Blake, Colorado Avalanche
52 Adam Foote, Columbus Blue Jackets
55 Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Canucks
24 *Bryan McCabe, Toronto Maple Leafs
27 Scott Niedermayer, Mighty Ducks
44 Chris Pronger, Edmonton Oilers

6 Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators
28 Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames

Forwards
14 Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks
9 Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
33 Kris Draper, Detroit Red Wings
21 Simon Gagn , Philadelphia Flyers
15 Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators
12 Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
40 Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
61 Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
39 Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
91 Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
94 Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers
10 *Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
22 *Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
26 Martin St-Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
97 Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
*Alternate Players

Playing for Team Canada, coached by Pat Quinn is such a sought

after position, and right now the talent pool is so deep that it is interesting to note that Eric Stall is an alternet. The team is headed up by Wayne Gretzky as Executive Director and Bob Nicholson as President.

Joe Sakic will be Canada s men s hockey team captain. Sakic has served as team captain with the NHL s Colorado Avalanche since 1992 and was an alternate captain for Canada at both the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey Notably absent will be Mario Lemieux, who retired from hockey due to health and age issues.

In the history of Olympic Winter Games, Team Canada has amassed a total of 13 medals, seven gold medals 1920, 1924,

1928, 1932, 1948, 1952, 2002, four silver medals 1936, 1960, 1992, 1994 and two bronze medals 1956, 1968.

Professional hockey players have only been allowed to take part in the Olympic Winter Games since 1998.

Current Odds to win Men’s Ice Hockey Gold Medal at Bodog

Canada 6/5
Czech Republic 5/2
Sweden 4/1
Russia 5/1
USA 5/1
Slovakia 10/1
Finland 12/1
Switzerland 70/1
Germany 200/1
Latvia 200/1
Italy 400/1
Kazakhstan 450/1

While you won’t make a pile of cash betting on Team Canada, it is in my opions te safest bet on the board! We will be following the 2006 Winter Olympics and will be posting plays on Mens and Womens Olympic Hockey!

George Smeader is a documented member of the Professional

Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/George_Smeader.htm.