Saturday, December 15, 2001
Gretzky looks to pick winner
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
Today, Team Canada GM Wayne Gretzky will choose the men who will stand on guard for thee.
After 12 months of preparation and speculation, the Great One, surrounded by his staff, will step to a microphone at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto at 12:30 p.m. to announce the 23 men who will travel to Salt Lake City in February.
"I would think there's going to be few surprises," said Gretzky, who made a stop in Ottawa on Thursday to watch his Phoenix Coyotes drop a 6-0 decision to the Senators. "We've got a lot of talent in this country and we've got a lot of talent to choose from. There's some tough decisions.
"Nobody knows who is on this list except Kevin Lowe, myself and the rest of the staff. And nobody is going to know. There's going to be people who are disappointed. We're not going to be calling anybody until (this morning) because we want to keep this list private."
Getting to this point has been a long road for the staff, which includes Lowe, Steve Tambellini, Pat Quinn, Ken Hitchcock, Senators coach Jacques Martin, Wayne Fleming and Gretzky, because the choices for Canada are always difficult.
DEBATE CLUB
Martin, an associate coach on the staff, understands that once the roster is announced a debate will begin across the country on the players who didn't make the team. It's something the staff excepts.
"Other countries are not scrutinized like we are and we know that's the case," Martin told the Sun during a break in the Senators' busy schedule this week. "We've got the NHL here and a lot of the strong talent in Canada. We accepted that fact when we got into this process.
"We know this is a challenge and that's what makes it exciting. The one thing we have in Canada is a lot of depth. The thing people have to remember is that certain people may be passed up today, but in two months we could have injuries. We could need other people by the time we leave."
When they sat down for their first meeting a year ago, Gretzky set the criteria that would be used to make the team. Canada's failure to win a medal at the Nagano Olympics in 1998 has actually served to help this staff.
Unlike the past brain trust of Bob Clarke, Bob Gainey and Pierre Gauthier, this one doesn't have any hidden agendas. Everybody was asked to come with an open mind and not try to protect their own players.
"We looked at all kinds of elements," said Martin. "The first element was speed. These are big ice surfaces with different rules and there's no red line. Secondly, we wanted players who had good experience.
"This is a short tournament. You want players who have been there before and know how to win. You don't have time to have people learning on the job. Thirdly, we wanted players with skill. You have to have players who are going to be able to move the puck and use their skills."
The team will be built around Mario Lemieux. Forwards Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, Owen Nolan and Paul Kariya, along with defencemen Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Rob Blake, have already been named to the team.
Now, the tough decisions have to be made. Those players were automatic. The biggest decision will be in the net, but Gretzky won't name a No. 1 goalie among the three selected until the team arrives in Salt Lake City.
One thing is certain, Canada has learned from its mistakes and this group is determined to right the ship.
"I think the fact that Wayne has been there before, and with the research we had from the last group, that has really helped us in making these selections. We're going to be much-better prepared," said Martin.
"The Czechs, Swedes, Finns, Russians, United States and Canada are all going to get a lot of attention.
"That's why part of the selection process has been getting players who are going to be able to handle the pressure. A lot of the players we choose will have had playoff experience and they'll know how to elevate their games.
"We know that nothing but gold is good enough for Canada. That's what we're working toward. We have people who want us, and expect us, to be the best. That's what's great about all of this. This is a challenge everybody wants and we're looking forward to the pressure."
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
