Toad
12-22-2005, 10:25 AM
I wish Crosby would defect and become an American. I'm sure he could play on the American team.
Bertuzzi Headed to Turin; Crosby Left Off Canadian Team
Dec 22, 4:32 AM (ET)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Todd Bertuzzi was a surprise selection for Canada's Olympic hockey team. Sidney Crosby was a stunning omission.
Bertuzzi, the Vancouver Canucks forward known infamously for the blindside attack that left another player with broken bones in his neck in March 2004, made the cut Wednesday when Canada announced its Olympic squad for the Turin Games.
"We're proud to have him," Team Canada's assistant executive director Kevin Lowe said of Bertuzzi. "As human beings and in life and in this country, I think a big part of being Canadian is being able to forgive."
Bertuzzi, reinstated by the NHL in August after a serving a 17-month suspension for the attack on Colorado's Steve Moore, pleaded guilty in a Vancouver court to criminal assault on Dec. 22, 2004, and was given one year of probation, which ends this week.
"For them having the faith in me is pretty rewarding," said Bertuzzi, sporting red-dyed hair. "Knowing they believe in me and that the so-called baggage that I carry wasn't going to interfere with this team."
Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins 18-year-old rookie who's widely touted as the future face of the NHL, wasn't selected to represent his country. The first pick in this year's draft ranks second among rookies and 29th overall with 14 goals and 19 assists.
"This roster is built around not only skill and speed and courage, but also the experience," said Steve Tambellini, director of player personnel.
Crosby was attending a players-only Christmas party Wednesday night and wasn't immediately available for comment, but his agent, Pat Brisson, said he would have easily fit onto one of Canada's top two lines.
"He's such a competitor, but at the same time he understands Canada has a big talent pool of great players," Brisson said.
Asked how upset Crosby was, Brisson said, "He wouldn't be normal if he wasn't disappointed. He's a proud competitor."
The team is mostly made up of players who represented Canada during wins at the 2002 Olympics, '03 and '04 world championships and last year's World Cup.
Columbus forward Rick Nash made the team despite missing all but five games this season with a high ankle sprain and a knee injury. He was Canada's best player at this year's world championship and had two goals in his first two games back last week.
Colorado center Joe Sakic was named captain of the team.
Defensemen who are returning to defend Canada's gold medal include Colorado's Rob Blake; Columbus' Adam Foote; Vancouver's Ed Jovanovski; Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer and Edmonton's Chris Pronger. Forwards headed back are Philadelphia's Simon Gagne; Calgary's Jarome Iginla; Sakic and Edmonton's Ryan Smyth.
Rounding out the roster were goaltenders Roberto Luongo (Panthers) and Marty Turco (Stars); defensemen Wade Redden (Senators) and Robyn Regehr (Flames); and forwards Bertuzzi, Shane Doan (Coyotes), Kris Draper (Red Wings), Dany Heatley, (Senators), Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis, Nash, and Joe Thornton (Sharks).
The reserves are Eric Staal (Hurricanes), Jason Spezza (Senators) and Bryan McCabe (Maple Leafs).
Key members of the gold-medal team not returning are Penguins owner-captain Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros, and goaltenders Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour.
Bertuzzi Headed to Turin; Crosby Left Off Canadian Team
Dec 22, 4:32 AM (ET)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Todd Bertuzzi was a surprise selection for Canada's Olympic hockey team. Sidney Crosby was a stunning omission.
Bertuzzi, the Vancouver Canucks forward known infamously for the blindside attack that left another player with broken bones in his neck in March 2004, made the cut Wednesday when Canada announced its Olympic squad for the Turin Games.
"We're proud to have him," Team Canada's assistant executive director Kevin Lowe said of Bertuzzi. "As human beings and in life and in this country, I think a big part of being Canadian is being able to forgive."
Bertuzzi, reinstated by the NHL in August after a serving a 17-month suspension for the attack on Colorado's Steve Moore, pleaded guilty in a Vancouver court to criminal assault on Dec. 22, 2004, and was given one year of probation, which ends this week.
"For them having the faith in me is pretty rewarding," said Bertuzzi, sporting red-dyed hair. "Knowing they believe in me and that the so-called baggage that I carry wasn't going to interfere with this team."
Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins 18-year-old rookie who's widely touted as the future face of the NHL, wasn't selected to represent his country. The first pick in this year's draft ranks second among rookies and 29th overall with 14 goals and 19 assists.
"This roster is built around not only skill and speed and courage, but also the experience," said Steve Tambellini, director of player personnel.
Crosby was attending a players-only Christmas party Wednesday night and wasn't immediately available for comment, but his agent, Pat Brisson, said he would have easily fit onto one of Canada's top two lines.
"He's such a competitor, but at the same time he understands Canada has a big talent pool of great players," Brisson said.
Asked how upset Crosby was, Brisson said, "He wouldn't be normal if he wasn't disappointed. He's a proud competitor."
The team is mostly made up of players who represented Canada during wins at the 2002 Olympics, '03 and '04 world championships and last year's World Cup.
Columbus forward Rick Nash made the team despite missing all but five games this season with a high ankle sprain and a knee injury. He was Canada's best player at this year's world championship and had two goals in his first two games back last week.
Colorado center Joe Sakic was named captain of the team.
Defensemen who are returning to defend Canada's gold medal include Colorado's Rob Blake; Columbus' Adam Foote; Vancouver's Ed Jovanovski; Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer and Edmonton's Chris Pronger. Forwards headed back are Philadelphia's Simon Gagne; Calgary's Jarome Iginla; Sakic and Edmonton's Ryan Smyth.
Rounding out the roster were goaltenders Roberto Luongo (Panthers) and Marty Turco (Stars); defensemen Wade Redden (Senators) and Robyn Regehr (Flames); and forwards Bertuzzi, Shane Doan (Coyotes), Kris Draper (Red Wings), Dany Heatley, (Senators), Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis, Nash, and Joe Thornton (Sharks).
The reserves are Eric Staal (Hurricanes), Jason Spezza (Senators) and Bryan McCabe (Maple Leafs).
Key members of the gold-medal team not returning are Penguins owner-captain Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros, and goaltenders Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour.