Canadian head coach Ken Hitchcock was all smiles at the Metro Centre yesterday after getting his first glimpse at his team’s full 25-man lineup in a fast-paced practice.
“Today’s practice was really outstanding,” the 1999 Stanley Cup champion raved. “Boy, if we can build from this, we like the chances we’re going to give ourselves.”
Canada is looking for a second straight title and third in six years at the IIHF world championship starting tomorrow against Anze Kopitar-led Slovenia at the Metro Centre.
It’s a star-studded group, with the likes of Rick Nash, Dany Heatley and Martin St. Louis up front, and Ed Jovanovski and Jay Bouwmeester on the blue line.
“The players know it’s game on. Let’s get going,” Hitchcock said.
Metro Halifax has provided a snapshot below of the players that form Hitchcock’s roster. Our event-long coverage continues tomorrow with a two-page preview.
Cam Ward #30
Goalie
Sherwood Park, Alta.
Feb. 29, 1984
Carolina Hurricanes
2.75 GAA, .904 SV%
Pascal Leclaire #31
Goalie
St-Gabriel, Que.
Nov. 7, 1982
Columbus Blue Jackets
2.25 GAA, .919 SV%
Mathieu Garon #32
Goalie
Chandler, Que.
Jan. 9, 1978
Edmonton Oilers
2.66 GAA, .913 SV%
Dan Hamhuis #2
Defence
Smithers, B.C.
Dec. 13, 1982
Nashville Predators
4 G, 23 A, 66 PIM
Jay Bouwmeester #4
Defence
Edmonton, Alta.
Sept. 27, 1983
Florida Panthers
15 G, 22 A, 72 PIM
Brent Burns #8
Defence
Barrie, Ont.
March 9, 1985
Minnesota Wild
15 G, 28 A, 80 PIM
Duncan Keith #22
Defence
Winnipeg, Man.
July 16, 1983
Chicago Blackhawks
12 G, 20 A, 56 PIM
Steve Staios #24
Defence
Hamilton, Ont.
July 23, 1973
Edmonton Oilers
7 G, 9 A, 121 PIM
Mike Green #52
Defence
Calgary, Alta.
Oct. 12, 1985
Washington Capitals
18 G, 38 A, 62 PIM
Ed Jovanovski #55
Defence
Windsor, Ont.
June 26, 1976
Phoenix Coyotes
12 G, 39 A, 73 PIM
Derek Roy #9
Forward
Ottawa, Ont.
May 4, 1983
Buffalo Sabres
32 G, 49 A, 46 PIM
Patrick Sharp #10
Forward
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Dec. 27, 1981
Chicago Blackhawks
36 G, 26 A, 55 PIM
Eric Staal #12
Forward
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Oct. 29, 1984
Carolina Hurricanes
38 G, 44 A, 50 PIM
Chris Kunitz #14
Forward
Regina, Sask.
Sept. 26, 1979
Anaheim Ducks
21 G, 29 A, 80 PIM
Dany Heatley #15
Forward
Calgary, Alta.
Jan. 21, 1981
Ottawa Senators
41 G, 41 A, 76 PIM
Jonathan Toews #16
Forward
Winnipeg, Man.
April 29, 1988
Chicago Blackhawks
24 G, 30 A, 50 PIM
Shane Doan #19
Forward
Halkirk, Alta.
Oct. 10, 1976
Phoenix Coyotes
28 G, 50 A, 59 PIM
Jamaal Mayers #21
Forward
Toronto, Ont.
Oct. 24, 1974
St. Louis Blues
12 G, 15 A, 91 PIM
Jason Chimera #25
Forward
Edmonton, Alta.
May 2, 1979
Columbus Blue Jackets
14 G, 17 A, 98 PIM
Martin St. Louis #26
Forward
Laval, Que.
June 18, 1975
Tampa Bay Lightning
23 G, 58 A, 26 PIM
Ryan Getzlaf #51
Forward
Regina, Sask.
May 10, 1985
Anaheim Ducks
24 G, 58 A, 94 PIM
Rick Nash #61
Forward
Brampton, Ont.
June 16, 1984
Columbus Blue Jackets
38 G, 31 A, 95 PIM
Jason Spezza #91
Forward
Toronto, Ont.
June 13, 1983
Ottawa Senators
34 G, 58 A, 66 PIM
Alternate Players
Mark Giordano #7
Defence
Toronto, Ont.
Oct. 3, 1983
Moscow Dynamo
4 G, 9 A, 89 PIM
Sam Gagner #89
Forward
Oakville, Ont.
Aug. 10, 1989
Edmonton Oilers
13 G, 36 A, 23 PIM
