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 Gagné, 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! .

By: George Smeader