Thursday, February 14, 2002
Turek to rest nagging injuries
By RANDY SPORTAK -- Calgary Sun
Chronic injuries have forced Calgary Flames goaltender Roman Turek to pull out of the Olympic Winter Games the day before he was to depart for Salt Lake City.
Turek, who's been battling an elbow problem for the last couple of weeks and missed a game a week ago in San Jose because of it, did play for the Flames last night but decided to use the 12-day NHL break to recover from nagging injuries and the general wear and tear of playing so often this season.
"I am honoured to have been selected to represent my country at the Olympics," Turek said yesterday in a statement.
"My decision to step aside was difficult but I believe it is the best decision for me personally as well for the Czech Republic hockey team and the Calgary Flames.
"I will use this opportunity to recuperate and be ready for the post-Olympic stretch in the NHL which is very important for me and the Calgary Flames."
Milan Hnilicka of the Atlanta Thrashers was named as Turek's replacement.
Turek, 31, wasn't expected to see action in a tournament game with Detroit's Dominik Hasek, who backstopped his country to gold in 1998, pegged to start every game.
Philadelphia Flyers' netminder Roman Cechmanek is the other goaltender on the Czech roster.
The Czech Republic opens the Olympic tournament's second round tomorrow against Germany, which advanced through an earlier qualification round.
The defending gold medal champion Czech team plays Canada on Monday.
Turek has been a war horse for the Flames in his first season in Calgary.
Heading into last night's tilt in Anaheim, he'd played 48 games while posting a 22-19-7 record with four shutouts and a 2.48 goals-against average.
He's played all of the last four games and in 25 of 26 outings, counting last night's tilt.
Barring injury, he'll play as many of the final 24 regular season games as possible.
As recently as Tuesday, Turek said he was looking forward to the Olympics and the challenge of rising to heightened expectations in the Czech Republic since the gold medal win in Nagano four years ago.
"We're one of the favourites for the gold medal again," he said. "I think it's pretty much the same team in Nagano."
With Turek pulling himself out of the Games, only two Flames will compete for gold: Jarome Iginla for Canada and Igor Kravchuk, an injury replacement for Russia.
Hnilicka, 29, is a veteran of international play and was on the Czech Republic Olympic roster in 1998.
However, he did not dress for any games in Nagano and likely will be relegated to the No. 3 role in Salt Lake City.
"I am very excited to be asked to represent my country in the Olympics," Hnilicka said in a statement.
"Having been through the Olympic Games once before, I know what a great honour it is. I am looking forward to the entire experience."
Hnilicka is 11-25-6 with two shutouts and a 2.33 GAA in 44 games with the Thrashers this season.
He is the fifth Thrashers player to be named to an Olympic team, joining Tomi Kallio and Pasi Nurminen (Finland), Ilya Kovalchuk (Russia) and Lubos Bartecko (Slovakia).
-- With files from CP
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
