[Jlg-28]

Source: ESPN - NHL

Hockey Canada on Wednesday announced the men's and women's hockey teams that will compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

The men's team, the odds-on favorite to defend its gold medal in Turin, Italy, had a few surprises after much debate about which players would make the final cut. One notable name left off the roster was Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Sidney Crosby. Many thought that Crosby, the first pick in this year's NHL draft, would bring much-needed marketability to Team Canada.

Another debate surrounded which goaltenders the team would select. Canada ended up taking the Devils' Martin Brodeur, the Panthers' Roberto Luongo and the Stars' Marty Turco.

A bold move from Hockey Canada was the inclusion of the Canucks' Todd Bertuzzi, whose past suspension for the Steve Moore incident fueled speculation that he would be left off the Olympic team. Kevin Lowe, GM for the Canadian men's team and the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, said the addition of Bertuzzi, like the rest of the roster, was an unanimous decision.

"When he's on his game, he's one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, player to handle down low," Lowe said. "A big part of this country is being able to forgive, and this is a big step for Todd Bertuzzi. We wish him all the best."

Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic was named captain of the team.

Hockey Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky last week took an indefinite leave from the post to be with his dying mother Phyllis, who later lost her bout with lung cancer. Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson led the media in a moment of silence for Phyllis Gretzky and said Wayne was on this morning's conference call with Hockey Canada's staff.

Lowe read a statement on behalf of Wayne Gretzky: "I am sorry I could not be here today on what is such a great day for Canadian hockey. ... I know my mom was looking forward to this day as every Canadian is."

Team Canada Rotser :

Goalies : Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marty Turco

Defense : Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Robyn Regehr, Ed Jovanovski, Wade Redden

Forwards : Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Sakic (Captain), Joe Thornton, Simon Gagne, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Kris Draper, Todd Bertuzzi

Alternates : Jason Spezza, Bryan McCabe, Eric Staal

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Nice to see that Gagne will get to play again , I however do not agree with the Bertuzzi selection but that is just me

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