Unlike in 2010, where literally the whole province was represented at the Olympics, B.C.’s finest are going to be a little more sparse at the 2014 Sochi games. However, the men’s ice hockey team in particular should have a pretty strong contingency of players with B.C. ties. Going down the 47 man roster that Hockey Canada used for evaluation camp this past week , we can find quite a few local guys you could get a chance to cheer for when they don the red and white in 2014.
Goaltender:
B.C. is almost certain to have ties to two of three of the Canadian goalies. Both Carey Price, who hails from Anahim Lake, B.C., and Roberto Luongo, of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, have legitimate claims to being the team’s number #1 netminder. Luongo is more experienced, having won the gold medal in 2010, but Price is younger, and widely considered Canada’s future at the position. However, regardless of who starts, it’s almost assured that these two will get two of Canada’s roster spots between the pipes. There are no guarantees when it comes to Hockey Canada, but these two are probably almost as close as it gets.
Defense:
There is a reason I said that the two goalies are almost as close as it gets when it comes to Olympic roster locks, and that reason is Sicamous, B.C.’s own Shea Weber. Easily among the best defenseman in the world, Weber will be on this team without question (barring injury).
Of more interesting note are Tsawassen-born Brent Seabrook, and the only player with the dual BC ties, Smithers’ Dan Hamhuis (he also plays for the Canucks). Seabrook was part of the 2010 squad with Weber and Luongo, and that could up his odds. However, with the emergence of young stars like Kris Letang, Alex Pieterangelo, and P.K. Subban, Seabrook might not be as safe as some expect. Hamhuis would be a first-time Olympian, but he’s long had a reputation as one of Canada’s best shut down defenseman. Furthermore, his established chemistry with Weber (they played together for the Nashville Predators) could prove vital in a short tournament where every mistake could mean elimination. Karl Alzner is also on the camp roster, but the Burnaby native doesn’t appear to have much a shot of making the team, with so much talent and depth in front of him.
Forward:
There’s only one forward on the camp roster with any ties to B.C., and that’s the Winnipeg Jet’s Andrew Ladd, hailing from Maple Ridge. Although he’s a great player at the NHL level, Ladd is facing too much of an uphill climb trying to crack Canada’s forwards. It’s a team where 40 goal scorers play on the fourth line, and Ladd doesn’t quite match up.
In 2014, B.C. is going to play a vital part in this Canadian men’s hockey team. Whether it’s by hometown or place of employment, British Columbians are going to have a lot of native sons to cheer on when the torch is lit in Sochi.
Featured Image by: lethbridgehurricanes.com