Armchair general managers throughout Canada are having their say on Steve Yzerman and company’s choices to lead the Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team into Sochi, Russia next month.
On the local front, it’s no different.
Thunder?Bay hockey fans no doubt are applauding the addition of well-deserving Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp to Team Canada.
But they’re equally consternated at the fact Eric Staal, a veteran of the 2010 champions, was left off.
Staal is certainly having a better season than at least a couple of Canadian forwards, Jeff Carter of the Los Angeles Kings and Rick Nash of the New York Rangers.
But the eldest of four hockey-playing brothers – siblings Marc and Jordan were also not named to the squad – Staal is having a so-so season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
He also picked the worst possible time to suffer an injury ?– just ask San Jose’s Logan Couture about that.
Kenora’s Mike Richards was also left out of the loop.
Sharp’s play of late cemented his spot on the team. With 25 goals, second in the NHL, a pair of recent hat tricks and two Stanley Cup rings to boot, by the New Year the 32-year-old became a lock on the team.
Best of luck to all Canadian Olympians, especially Sharp and Haley Irwin, named to the women’s hockey team.
