KIDWCKED
12-30-2009, 06:09 PM
ESPN.com news services
Sidney Crosby wasn't about to get snubbed again, while Martin Brodeur is an Olympian for a fourth time.
Crosby, the youngest captain in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, was chosen Wednesday for Canada's Olympic hockey team, four years after being left off the underachieving squad that finished a disappointing seventh in Turin, Italy.
Crosby was among the easiest picks for executive director Steve Yzerman, the longtime Detroit Red Wings captain whose choices have been debated and evaluated for months in hockey-obsessed Canada, which virtually shut down for the announcement.
Crosby also was named one of three alternate captains.
"It's a pretty special honor and obviously something that's been talked about for a while," Crosby said during the national broadcast of the team's announcement. "I am pretty proud to be a part of it. Whoever you play with with this group of players, it's going to be pretty awesome.
"There's so much talent, making lines should be a pretty easy thing to do."
The hockey portion of the Vancouver Games begins Feb. 16.
Among those selected were goaltender Brodeur, who recently set the NHL record with his 104th career shutout; defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger; forward Jarome Iginla, the star of Canada's 2002 gold-medal winning team; and Joe Thornton, the NHL scoring leader.
Goalies Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury also were selected to the roster.
Sidney Crosby wasn't about to get snubbed again, while Martin Brodeur is an Olympian for a fourth time.
Crosby, the youngest captain in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, was chosen Wednesday for Canada's Olympic hockey team, four years after being left off the underachieving squad that finished a disappointing seventh in Turin, Italy.
Crosby was among the easiest picks for executive director Steve Yzerman, the longtime Detroit Red Wings captain whose choices have been debated and evaluated for months in hockey-obsessed Canada, which virtually shut down for the announcement.
Crosby also was named one of three alternate captains.
"It's a pretty special honor and obviously something that's been talked about for a while," Crosby said during the national broadcast of the team's announcement. "I am pretty proud to be a part of it. Whoever you play with with this group of players, it's going to be pretty awesome.
"There's so much talent, making lines should be a pretty easy thing to do."
The hockey portion of the Vancouver Games begins Feb. 16.
Among those selected were goaltender Brodeur, who recently set the NHL record with his 104th career shutout; defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger; forward Jarome Iginla, the star of Canada's 2002 gold-medal winning team; and Joe Thornton, the NHL scoring leader.
Goalies Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury also were selected to the roster.