Sunday, September 2, 2001
Camp primer
Canadian Olympic team hopefuls in Calgary this week prepping for Salt Lake City
By JEAN LEFEBVRE -- Calgary Sun
The camping ban in Southern Alberta will be lifted Tuesday.
Thirty-four of the country's top hockey players are coming to Calgary for a mini-camp -- the event is officially being dubbed an "orientation session" -- at Father David Bauer Arena in preparation for February's Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The event is going to be a circus.
Don't believe us? Heck, the folks from Canadian Hockey are even putting up a tent for media interviews and press conferences.
Unlike most circuses, however, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls or children of any age are not welcome -- the two-day camp is closed to the public.
The event will be enough of a carnival sideshow thanks to the estimated 175 media members that have been accredited.
Not only is the camp drawing close attention from Canadian media, reporters from New York, Philadelphia and Dallas are also expected to attend.
The camp is big news in the Big Apple because it marks the returns of Theo Fleury, whose 2000-01 season was cut short when he checked into a rehab centre, and newest Ranger Eric Lindros, back after a battle with concussions and a prolonged feud with Flyers GM Bobby Clarke.
The Philly press is certainly also interested in Lindros but also the presence of four Flyers -- Eric Desjardins, Simon Gagne, Mark Recchi and Keith Primeau.
Dallas has five players at the camp, as do the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
The Flames will be represented by rearguard Derek Morris.
In accordance to an agreement with the NHL Players' Association, the on-ice schedule is officially limited to one-hour sessions Wednesday and Thursday with perhaps a 45-minute scrimmage one of those two days. Organizers, however, are hoping the modest ice time will whet the players' appetites and move them, like so many Oliver Twists, to implore: "Please sir, can we have some more?"
No events can be scheduled Tuesday or Friday, which are mandated as travel days by the agreement with the NHLPA.
Off the ice, players will meet with coaches and management and will be briefed on Olympic issues ranging from tournament format, lodging and doping policies.
FROM SEA TO SEA: If Invermere, N.S., product Al MacInnis is allowed to represent the Atlantic region, this truly is a national group with all other provinces represented.
Ontario leads the way with 14, a figure that includes Steve Yzerman, who was born in Cranbrook but raised in the Ottawa suburb of Nepean, and Irish-born Owen Nolan, who grew up in Thorold, Ont.
Quebec contributes seven members while Alberta and B.C. each have four representatives.
FACTS AND FIGURES: The 34 campers are in line to earn more than $150 million US in the 2001-02 NHL campaign.
And that doesn't even include the millions Eric Lindros can earn simply by staying in the Rangers lineup for 50 games.
Thirty of the 34 players have seven-figure salaries, the only exceptions being youngsters Brenden Morrow ($790,000), Eric Brewer ($908,000), Alex Tanguay ($975,000) and Simon Gagne ($975,000).
Paul Kariya ($10 million) is the highest-paid Canadian.
Collectively, the Canadian roster has played 21,915 NHL regular-season games, scored 6,230 goals and 10,193 points, recorded 1,430 goaltending victories and notched 192 shutouts.
The roster's trophy case includes six Harts (three by Mario Lemieux), four Art Rosses (all by Lemieux), three Norrises, five Vezinas, four Lady Byngs, four Calders, two Selkes and no fewer than 10 Conn Smythes.
The group boasts a total of 29 Stanley Cup rings including four by Patrick Roy and two each by Lemieux, Martin Brodeur, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, Joe Nieuwendyk, Adam Foote, Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer.
LIVING UP TO THE
HYPE: Twenty-three of the campers are former first-round draft picks including five former No. 1 overall selections -- Ed Jovanovski, Eric Lindros, Mario Lemieux, Pierre Turgeon and Owen Nolan.
Late-round picks who battled their way to the top include eighth-rounder Theo Fleury and 10th-rounder Anson Carter.
Netminders Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph were never drafted.
WHO'S NOT HERE: Among those conspicuous by their absence are nine-time 30-goal man Brendan Shanahan; Luc Robitaille, who has almost 600 NHL goals to his credit; Jason Allison, who was tied for fourth in the scoring derby last year; Adam Oates, who tied for the league lead in assists in 2000-01; Flames 31-goal sniper Jarome Iginla; bruising Oilers d-man Jason Smith; budding net sensation Roberto Luongo; rising young Tampa Bay star Vincent Lecavalier; and Jeff O'Neill, Carolina's 41-goal man.
BETWEEN THE PIPES:
Ed Belfour
Age: 36.
Born: Carman, Man.
Club: Dallas.
2000-01 stats: 35W-20L-7-T, 2.34 GAA, 8 SO.
International experience: Canada Cup ('91).
Skinny: Two-time Vezina Trophy winner has plenty of big-game experience and one Cup ring.
Patrick Roy
Age: 35.
Born: Quebec City.
Club: Colorado.
2000-01 stats:
40W-13L-7T,
2.21 GAA, 4 SO.
International experience: Olympics ('98).
Skinny: Proven winner with four Cup rings and three Conn Smythe trophies. Winningest goalie ever.
Martin Brodeur
Age: 29.
Born: Montreal.
Club: New Jersey.
2000-01 stats: 42W-17L-11T,
2.32 GAA, 9 SO.
International experience: World championships ('96), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98).
Skinny: Has primarily been an apprentice on the world stage. Two Cup rings.
Curtis Joseph
Age: 34.
Born: Keswick, Ont.
Club: Toronto.
2000-01 stats: 33W-27L-8T,
2.39 GAA, 6 SO
International experience: World championships ('96), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Only 'tender in camp without a Stanley Cup ring.
THE BLUELINERS:
Ed Jovanovski
Age: 25.
Born: Windsor, Ont.
Club: Vancouver.
2000-01 stats:
79GP, 12-35-47, 102 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('95), World Cup ('96)
Skinny: Florida No. 1 pick's career has surged since trade to Canucks.
Eric Desjardins
Age: 32
Born: Rouyn, Que.
Club: Philadelphia.
2000-01 stats: 79GP, 15-33-48,
50 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('88, '89) Canada Cup ('91), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98).
Skinny: Only blueliner to score hat trick in Stanley Cup final game.
Wade Redden
Age: 24.
Born: Lloydminster.
Club: Ottawa.
2000-01 stats: 78GP, 10-37-47,
49 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('95, '96), world championships ('99, '01).
Skinny: Already an experienced international warrior, he could be a Canadian mainstay for years.
Al MacInnis
Age: 38
Born: Inverness, N.S.
Club: St. Louis.
2000-01 stats: 59GP, 12-42-54,
52 PIM
International experience: World championships ('90), Canada Cup ('91), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Cannon-blasting ex-Flame is the oldest player at camp.
Chris Pronger
Age: 26.
Born: Dryden, Ont.
Club: St. Louis.
2000-01 stats: 51GP, 8-39-47,
75 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('93), world championships ('97), Olympics ('98).
Skinny: Former Hart/Norris Trophy winner figures to be the linchpin of rearguard corps.
Rob Blake
Age: 31.
Born: Simcoe, Ont.
Club: Colorado.
2000-01 stats: 67GP, 19-40-59,
77 PIM
International experience: World championships ('91, '94, '97, '99), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Named best defenceman at Nagano Olympics.
Adam Foote
Age: 30.
Born: Toronto.
Club: Colorado.
2000-01 stats: 35GP, 3-12-15,
42 PIM
International experience: World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98).
Skinny: Steady blueliner is one of Avs' unsung heroes.
Eric Brewer
Age: 22.
Born: Vernon, B.C.
Club: Edmonton
2000-01 stats: 77GP, 7-14-21,
53 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('98), world championships ('01)
Skinny: Another of the blueline blocks with which many future Canadian teams will be built.
Scott Stevens
Age: 37.
Born: Kitchener, Ont.
Club: New Jersey.
2000-01 stats: 81GP, 9-22-31,
71 PIM
International experience: World championships ('83, '85, '87, '89), Canada Cup ('84, '91), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Veteran international soldier still a menacing presence.
Richard Matvichuk
Age: 28.
Born: Edmonton.
Club: Dallas.
2000-01 stats:
78GP, 4-16-20,
62 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('91)
Skinny: Defensive-minded bruiser has played on five consecutive division winners in Dallas.
Derek Morris
Age: 23.
Born: Edmonton.
Club: Calgary.
2000-01 stats: 51GP, 5-23-28,
56 PIM
International experience: World championships ('99, '01)
Skinny: Lone Flames representative on Canadian squad.
Scott Niedermayer
Age: 28.
Born: Edmonton.
Club: New Jersey.
2000-01 stats: 57GP, 6-29-35,
22 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('91, '92), World Cup ('96)
Skinny: Nifty skater a natural for big ice surface.
UP FRONT:
Pierre Turgeon
Age: 32.
Born: Rouyn, Que.
Club: Dallas.
2000-01 stats: 79GP, 30-52-82,
37 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('87).
Skinny: Finally starting to earn respect to match gaudy stats.
Mario Lemieux
Age: 35.
Born: Montreal.
Club: Pittsburgh.
2000-01 stats: 43GP, 35-41-76,
18 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('83), world championships ('85), Canada Cup ('87).
Skinny: Has a brief but glorious international past including Canada Cup winner in 1987.
Jason Arnott
Age: 26.
Born: Wasaga Beach, Ont.
Club: New Jersey.
2000-01 stats: 54GP, 21-34-55,
75 PIM.
International experience: World championships ('94), World Cup ('96)
Skinny: A potent blend of grit and skill.
Anson Carter
Age: 27.
Born: Toronto.
Club: Edmonton.
2000-01 stats: 61GP, 16-26-42,
23 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('94), world championships ('97)
Skinny: Hard-nosed player was a surprise inclusion for the camp.
Ryan Smyth
Age: 25.
Born: Banff.
Club: Edmonton.
2000-01 stats: 82GP, 31-39-70,
58 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('95), world championships ('99, '00, '01)
Skinny: Served as captain of last year's world championship team after an injury to Mike Peca.
Simon Gagne
Age: 21.
Born: Ste-Foy, Que.
Club: Philadelphia.
2000-01 stats: 69GP, 27-32-59,
18 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('99)
Skinny: Led 1999 world junior tourney with seven goals.
Keith Primeau
Age: 29.
Born: Toronto.
Club: Philadelphia.
2000-01 stats: 71GP, 34-39-73,
76 PIM.
International experience: World championships ('97), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Big pivot has found hockey happiness in Philly.
Mark Recchi
Age: 33.
Born: Kamloops.
Club: Philadelphia.
2000-01 stats: 69GP, 27-50-77,
33 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('88), world championships ('90, '93, '97), Olympics ('00)
Skinny: Diminutive speedster still one of the slickest players in NHL.
Owen Nolan
Age: 29.
Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Club: San Jose.
2000-01 stats: 57GP, 24-25-49,
75 PIM.
International experience: World championships ('97)
Skinny: Irish-born winger a heart-and-soul type of player.
Eric Lindros
Age: 28.
Born: London, Ont.
Club: N.Y. Rangers.
2000-01 stats: Did not play.
International experience: World juniors ('90, '91, '92), world championships ('93), Olympics ('92, '98), World Cup ('96)
Skinny: Concussion-plagued star returning to action after long feud with Flyers GM Bob Clarke.
Theoren Fleury
Age: 33.
Born: Oxbow, Sask.
Club: N.Y. Rangers.
2000-01 stats: 62GP, 30-44-74, 122 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('87, '88), world championships ('90, '91), Canada Cup ('91), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Little guy has been a big performer for Canada but battling back from substance abuse.
Michael Peca
Age: 27.
Born: Toronto.
Club: N.Y. Islanders.
2000-01 stats: Did not play.
International experience: World championships ('01)
Skinny: Pesky centre missed 2000-01 season in contract dispute with Sabres.
Steve Yzerman
Age: 36.
Born: Cranbrook.
Club: Detroit.
2000-01 stats: 54GP, 18-34-52,
18 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('83), Canada Cup ('84), world championships ('85, '89, '90), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Classy centreman still one of league's top stars.
Joe Sakic
Age: 32.
Born: Vancouver.
Club: Colorado.
2000-01 stats: 82GP, 54-64-118, 30 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('88), world championships ('94), World Cup ('96), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Reigning NHL MVP lets his play do the talking.
Paul Kariya
Age: 26.
Born: Vancouver.
Club: Anaheim.
2000-01 stats: 66GP, 33-34-67,
20 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('92, '93), world championships ('93, '94, '96), Olympics ('94). Selected to '96 World Cup and '98 Olympic teams but did not play due to injury.
Skinny: Durability is the only question mark for this divine talent.
Alex Tanguay
Age: 21.
Born: Ste-Justine, Que.
Club: Colorado.
2000-01 stats:
82 GP, 27-50-77,
37 PIM
International experience: World juniors ('98)
Skinny: Stock rose with strong effort in Avs' Stanley Cup run.
Joe Nieuwendyk
Age: 34.
Born: Oshawa, Ont.
Club: Dallas.
2000-01 stats: 69GP, 29-23-52,
30 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('86), world championships ('90), Olympics ('98)
Skinny: Battled back from serious knee injuries to regain place among the NHL's best.
Brenden Morrow
Age: 22.
Born: Carlyle, Sask.
Club: Dallas.
2000-01 stats: 82GP, 20-24-44, 128 PIM.
International experience: World juniors ('99), world championships ('01)
Skinny: Rising star combines skill with combative attitude.
THE BRASS:
Executive director: Wayne Gretzky (Phoenix).
Assistant executive director: Kevin Lowe (Edmonton).
Head coach: Pat Quinn (Toronto)
Assistant coaches: Ken Hitchcock (Dallas), Jacques Martin (Ottawa), Wayne Fleming (CHA).
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
