There is an awful lot of talk about who will win gold in Olympic hockey. What is surprising is that the Team Sweden hockey club is not getting enough love compared to Canada and host country Russia. The 2006 gold medal winners may have been upset in 2010, but are looking like a solid choice to regain their title as the best in the world. Tre Kronor has depth at every … [Read more...] about Team Sweden hockey preview: Lying in the weeds
2014 Winter Olympics
Team Czech Republic hockey preview: Too many veterans
Looking up and down the Team Czech Republic roster reveals plenty of notable players. The problem with those names is that the majority of them are on the back end of their careers. Patrik Elias, Jaromir Jagr, Milan Michalek, Petr Nedved, Tomas Kaberle, Michal Rozsival, and Marek Zidlicky have all seen better days. Players such as Jagr and Elias are still playing at a premium … [Read more...] about Team Czech Republic hockey preview: Too many veterans
Team Slovenia hockey preview: Looking up
Anza Kopitar will be lucky to play more than four games for Team Slovenia Hockey in the Winter Olympics. Slovenia defied all odds by qualifying for the games with Kopitar and Detroit Red Wings prospect Jan Mursak as the only players most hockey fans would know. Kopitar’s father Matjaz coaches Team Slovenia. Forwards … [Read more...] about Team Slovenia hockey preview: Looking up
Team USA hockey preview: Prove 2010 was no fluke
Taking home the gold in 2010 on Canadian soil would have been sweet for Team USA. Doing so against the hometown Canadians would have been that much sweeter. A silver medal was not expected with the talent on the ice for Team USA hockey, but now is the time to show that 2010 was more legitimate than fluky. The core remains strong for the U.S., as Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, … [Read more...] about Team USA hockey preview: Prove 2010 was no fluke
Team Canada hockey preview: Repeat or bust
Winning gold on home ice was expected. Now is the time to show how dominant the Team Canada hockey program can be. Even with their 2010 gold, Hockey Canada has failed to medal in two of the previous four Winter Olympics. For pretty much any other team, that is acceptable. For Canada? An embarrassment. The Canadian talent pool is by far the deepest in the world. As Canada’s … [Read more...] about Team Canada hockey preview: Repeat or bust
Team Austria hockey preview: Thanks for playing
This is Austria’s first Winter Olympics hockey tournament since 2002, where they finished 12th. Needless to say, they’re just happy to be here. Surprisingly, the Eagles have at least notable and current NHL players. Thomas Vanek and Michael Grabner also play together for the New York Islanders. Forwards Vanek and Grabner are the only two forwards with NHL experience, as … [Read more...] about Team Austria hockey preview: Thanks for playing
10 former Chicago Blackhawks going to Sochi
The Chicago Blackhawks are sending ten current players to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but 10 former Hawks will be lacing up the skates, as well. The list is a mix of established NHL players and players not cut out for playing in the premier league in the world. Of the 10 heading to Sochi, four were Blackhawks draft picks, and four have won a Stanley Cup wearing the … [Read more...] about 10 former Chicago Blackhawks going to Sochi
Who is in, out for Team Canada Hockey?
Team USA has been in the headlines after their roster announcement following the Winter Classic. Team Canada will dominate those same headlines January 7. Hockey Canada is rich with talent that could easily field two teams. The roster listed below will be broken down into three categories: Goaltenders, Defensemen, and Forwards. Team Canada will take more centers than any … [Read more...] about Who is in, out for Team Canada Hockey?