Team Canada Roster! :)

Head Coach: Mike Babcock

Goaltenders
Martin Brodeur-New Jersey
Marc-André Fleury-Pittsburgh
Roberto Luongo-Vancouver

Defenders
Dan Boyle-San Jose
Drew Doughty-Los Angeles
Duncan Keith-Chicago
Scott Niedermayer-Anaheim
Chris Pronger-Philadelphia
Brent Seabrook-Chicago
Shea Weber-Nashville

Forwards
Patrice Bergeron-Boston
Sidney Crosby-Pittsburgh
Ryan Getzlaf-Anaheim
Dany Heatley-San Jose
Jarome Iginla-Calgary
Patrick Marleau-San Jose
Brenden Morrow-Dallas
Rick Nash-Columbus
Corey Perry-Anaheim
Mike Richards-Philadelphia
Eric Staal-Carolina
Joe Thornton-San Jose
Jonathan Toews-Chicago

Information:
Youth and inexperience highlight the roster for the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Though the roster is filled with many big name players and stars of the best hockey league in the World, 12 players are 25-years old or younger and 15 are making their first ever Olympic apperance. Chris Pronger and Martin Brodeur (though Brodeur didnt play in 1998) are the lone veterans of Canada who have been in each Olympic since NHLers were allowed to compete. Canada will bring 4 players who helped Canada break its 50-years drought at the 2002 Winter Olympics while 7 players return from Canada worst ever Olympic finish, 7th. Canada will be looking to make up for that finish and no better place to do it on home ice infront of their fans. Their roster includes many players who are on the same club including San Jose's Heatley, Thronton, Marleau and Anaheim's Getzlaf and Perry. Nobody was surprised to see the likes of Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, or Corey Perry named to the squad. But eye-catching newcomers included 20-year-old L.A. defenceman Drew Doughty, who won World Junior gold in 2008 and World Championship silver in 2009; the Chicago Blackhawks defence pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook; and Boston's Patrice Bergeron, who showed great chemistry with Sidney Crosby at the '05 World Juniors and '06 Worlds and has rebounded from concussion problems.

Goaltending for Canada is a question mark on who will become the starter, after all the tournament is hosted in the city that Roberto Luongo plays in and knows the arena very well. However Martin Brodeur is the veteran on the back-end and did bring Canada its Gold Medal back in 2002 and since that Olympics has become the all-time leader in many goaltending categories. Luongo has played behind Brodeur three times before 2004 World Cup, 2005 World Championship, and 2006 Olympics. Canada will most likely play Broduer and Luongo throughout the round robin games and decide who becomes the starter during the medal rounds.

Canada brings all of its 23-man roster from the NHL

Canada is currently ranked 2nd.

I Finally Found Someone to Interview!

After a huge work load off my shoulder (school wise), I finally got around to finding someone to interview regarding the 2010 Games. I can't believe their creeping right around the corner! I'm pretty excited. Stay tune, to see my interview blog post! 44 more days!

Students Live Reporter - Application

Why should I be a Students Live Reporter for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games? Easy, I am an out-going teenager from David Thompson Secondary School, who finds this potential opportunity to help me further my goal to be involved with the 2010 Olympics. Because I am still a minor, I do not have those privileges to volunteer my time. I am extremely dedicated in what I do, and I want to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity being presented to me.

From the day I first heard Vancouver was going to host the Olympics, my emotions sky-rocketed. I’ve always been a fan of sports, and the fact that professional athletes are going to compete in the city I was born and raised in is still something I can't come to grips with. At first, I was heartbroken because I knew I was going to be 16 years of age. How could my age be the factor as to why I couldn’t take part in this unique event? Age is just a number after all. Following a lot of hours researching, I finally discovered a way to partake in this prestigious event. I am grateful that there is even the slightest chance of me being not only a reporter, but experiencing the thrill of being an eye-witness of history first-hand.

Not only is this a great way for me to get involved with the Games, I also get a chance to connect with many other students outside of my school, who are also interested in the Olympics. This program genuinely creates a rich learning experience for me that I could never take for granted.

So why pick me out of the other hundreds that have applied? I have what it takes to think on the spot, and have the qualities of a true reporter. As I’ve grown older I’ve realized that I have a passion for writing. English has always been my favourite subject. Writing was basically my means of escape. I got to get away, and express my emotions on paper. Surprisingly, for someone my age, I am very comfortable and confident when it comes to public speaking. Knowing that people care about what I have to say makes me feel important to the public eye.

Moreover, being raised in a sports-hyped household has taken a toll on me. My grandparents are avid cricket fans, and my parents are in love with Canada’s sport: hockey. I’ve been drawn ever since, and now my mood strictly depends on how well the Vancouver Canucks have played. My parents enrolled me in a soccer team right when I started walking. I kicked my first soccer ball at the age of 5, and never looked back since. Every year it’s a must that I take part in sports that my school offers. I play three different sports all year-round including field hockey, basketball, and soccer. Clearly, I know how much time and dedication our Canadian athletes put into their individual sport. I respect those who play hard and give it their all. Being able to experience the journey of our Canadian athletes would be nothing short of an honour.

In addition, I believe I fully meet the requirements to be a reporter for Students Live. I am fluent in English, Punjabi, and I am currently completing Grade 11 French. I take great pride in being bilingual. Furthermore, I have been certified in British Columbia’s Tourism SuperHost program. The program’s excellence is recognized internationally. I am an excellent student that knows how to balance my time and complete the projects I am involved with. As such, it is safe to say that I am a well-rounded individual that makes for a perfect candidate for this position.

I hope to be one of the 24 students selected from this tight competition. It would be my honour to share my experience from the Games with my fellow peers through many of the web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, and Twitter. I have the spirit that the 2010 Olympics are anticipating for. In Olympian Patrick Chan’s words, “I believe this is something I was born to do, or something I have to do.” I believe I have whatever means necessary for this role. Now the question is, do you believe?