Winter Olympics 2010

Over the past few weeks, the countries participating in the Winter Olympics announced their rosters for the tournament. The Devils currently boast six players named to Olympic teams.

**Paul Martin is on Injured Reserve. Surgery on December 23, 2009 may keep him out of the Olympics.

Langenbrunner will be the captain and Parise will be one of the alternate captains for the United States of America joining Elias, who will be the captain of the Czech Republic team; while. Expected to start for Canada, Brodeur has a tough job ahead of him with Roberto Luongo being named to Canada’s roster as well. Fortunately for Brodeur, the trapezoid behind the goaltender’s net will disappear for this tournament, and should give Brodeur the advantage.

Parise Excited for ‘Everything’ in Vancouver

Team USA announces its roster after the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010.

Martin, injured on October 24, 2009, may not be able to represent his country in February. Many feared Martin would be left off the roster for America, however Brian Burke, general manager of Team USA and the Toronto Maple Leafs, stated the injury should not hamper Martin’s chances at making the squad. With surgery just a few days before the announcement of the roster, Burke decided to put Martin on the roster. His strategy was the following: if Martin is back to 100% healthy and in game-shape by February 15, 2010 (the day before Olympic tournament starts), then Martin will play in the Olympics. If Martin is not quite up to full capability, Martin and Burke came to an agreement that Martin will back out, leaving room for Burke to fill the spot with another defenseman. Andy Greene would be a fantastic candidate for Burke, however as Greene was not present at the Olympic camp in August, he has not gone through the proper drug testing per Olympic Rules, and will not be eligible to replace Martin. Greene stepped up and filled the offensive defenseman spot that Martin left open when injured — he has five goals and eighteen assists in 39 games played this season (both goals and assists are career highs).

Schedule for the Olympics:

Tuesday, February 16

12:00 pm USA vs. SWITZERLAND

4:30 pm CANADA vs. NORWAY

9:00 pm RUSSIA vs. LATVIA

Wednesday, February 17

12:00 pm FINLAND vs. BELARUS

4:30 pm SWEDEN vs. GERMANY

9:00 pm CZECH REPUBLIC vs. SLOVAKIA

Thursday, February 18

12:00 pm USA vs. NORWAY

4:30 pm SWITZERLAND vs. CANADA

9:00 pm SLOVAKIA vs. RUSSIA

Friday, February 19

12:00 pm BELARUS vs. SWEDEN

4:30 pm CZECH REPUBLIC vs. LATVIA

9:00 pm FINLAND vs. GERMANY

Saturday, February 20

12:00 pm NORWAY vs. SWITZERLAND

4:30 pm LATVIA vs. SLOVAKIA

9:00 pm GERMANY vs. BELARUS

Sunday, February 21

12:00 pm RUSSIA vs. CZECH REPUBLIC

4:45 pm CANADA vs. USA

9:00 pm SWEDEN vs. FINLAND

QUALIFICATION PLAYOFF

Tuesday, February 23

12:00 pm QUALIFICATION 1

4:30 pm QUALIFICATION 2

7:00 pm QUALIFICATION 3 (at UBC Thunderbird Arena)

9:00 pm QUALIFICATION 4

(if qualified, USA will play 12:00 game)
(if qualified, Canada will play 16:30 game)

QUARTER-FINALS

Wednesday, February 24

12:00 pm QUARTERFINAL 1

4:30 pm QUARTERFINAL 2

7:00 pm QUARTERFINAL 3 (at UBC Thunderbird Arena)

9:00 pm QUARTERFINAL 4

(if qualified, USA will play 12:00 game or 9:00 game)
(if qualified, Canada will play 4:30 game)

SEMI-FINALS

Friday, February 26

12:00 pm Semifinal 1

6:30 pm Semifinal 2

(if qualified, USA will play 12:00 game)
(if qualified, Canada will play 6:30 game)

BRONZE MEDAL GAME

Saturday, February 27

7:00 pm

GOLD MEDAL GAME

Sunday, February 28

12:15 pm

Here’s a little video that hopefully Langenbrunner, Parise, and Martin draw inspiration from: