As I mentioned earlier this year when I made my pre-season picks, the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team has never been under more pressure to perform. By the same logic, the pressure has never been greater for management to pick the appropriate team to take Canada to Olympic glory in Vancouver. Steve Yzerman, Mike Babcock and the rest of Team Canada management have done most of the work in order to cut the team down “There has been a lot of back and forth, but there has been no real disagreement on players to this point, but we haven’t decided on the final couple spots, I’m a big believer that the players are going to decide these things” said Babcock on Team 1040 earlier this week. So with the roster almost ready to be unveiled, I have made my own picks for the final cut.

In order to win at the Olympic level, I believe Canada cannot be purely made up the top scorers across all four lines, defensively responsible forwards must also be added to ensure that the skill of Russian, Swedish and American top lines can be stopped. The Canadian team must also be carefully constructed in order to fill the locker room with integrity and leadership. Players must have a team first attitude, and be willing to do whatever it takes in order to secure a gold medal. With that in mind, this is the team I would ice in Vancouver.

Nash                                      Crosby                                  Iginla

I don’t think there can be much debate over this top line; all three skaters have proven to be consistent scorers in the NHL and on the international stage. The size of Rick Nash, the vision and finesse of Sidney Crosby, and the grit and leadership of Jerome Iginla can lead the way for Canada.

Heatley                                                Thornton                             Marleau

Line-mates in the NHL on the conference leading San Jose Sharks, the top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley seems to be unstoppable. As the set up man, Thornton leads the NHL in points at 51 and assists at 41. His size, vision and perfect passing have made his line a scoring threat at all times, sending Marleau and Heatley to the top of the NHL scoring race where they sit 2^nd and 4^th overall with 23 and 22 goals respectively. With two lines full of such impressive scoring talent, the top six forwards for Canada will put up big numbers come tournament time in Vancouver.

Perry                                     Getzlaf                                 Stamkos

At 6’4” and 6’3” the Anaheim Ducks duo of Ryan Getzlaf are two of the best power forwards in the league. Throw in the scoring touch of the young and talented Steven Stamkos, and the third line looks just as dangerous as the top two. As a third line, this trio will also be looked towards for scoring, hitting and dominating shifts in the offensive zone, all three stand over 6’1” tall, which will make it tough to move any of these three off the puck. Throw in the mean-streak of Getzlaf and Perry especially, and this line will be extremely tough to play against.

Toews                                   Richards                               Doan

The fourth line for Canada will be looked towards to shut down the skill of oppositions top lines, this trio of forwards  has proven both at the NHL level and on the international stage that they can be counted on the come through for Canada.  All three have been great soldiers for Canada, representing their country at the World Junior Hockey Championships before making the jump to the NHL. Shane Doan has also represented Canada in five straight World Championships, and Jonathan Toews heroics at the World Juniors in 2006-2007 is just a taste of the leadership and clutch play that made him the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Richards, at a combined plus 40 over the last three years has proven he is defensively one of the best forwards in the NHL, his penalty killing skills are second to none, and will be looked towards with the game on the line to hold the lead when down a skater.

Pronger                                                Niedermayer

Familiar from their times in Anaheim, Pronger and Niedermayer are two veteran presences on the blue line that will lead Canada to Olympic glory. Pronger has had more than 40 points in 9 consecutive seasons (other than a 5 game, 4 point season in ‘02/’03) and is one of the toughest and most intimidating forces to play against. The smooth skating Niedermayer has four Stanley Cups, two Memorial Cups, and a gold medal at every level of international competition for Canada, his veteran leadership will be a key for Canada.

Keith                                     Bouwmeester

Duncan Keith has been above 30 in both points and plus/minus in the last two seasons, and can move the puck with the best of them, he understands how to man the point and set up skilled players considering the talent he is surrounded by in Chicago. Bouwmeester is a prototypical puck moving defenseman, he was a standout with 7 points in 9 games at the 2002-2003 World Junior Hockey Championships, and has put up more than 37 points in the last four seasons. Did I mention he’s 6’4” and he can hit too?

Green                                   Boyle

While the previous four defenseman can all man a power play with ease, no one can put more points on the board more than Mike Green and Dan Boyle. Mike Green led the NHL last season among defenseman in scoring, including an amazing 31 goals. Boyle, who finished 6^th in defenseman scoring last season is currently 3^rd this season (second among Canadians) and has been a catalyst for the high powered San Jose Sharks offense. Down a goal with the man advantage, Boyle and Green will be looked upon to quarterback the power play and get a goal the team needs.

Brodeur                               Luongo                                Fleury

No question here, these three are the best Canada has to offer. Brodeur and Luongo are #1 and #1a, but I believe both will get a start in the preliminary and pre-tournament rounds in order to determine the starter for the beginning of the tournament.

While the roster spots have been heavily debated, the captaincy is just as tight a race. However I think one player stands above the rest as the best leader of the team not only on the ice and through his play, but through his work ethic, and his dealings with the media. Jerome Iginla would be my Team Canada captain, at 32 years old he is old enough to lead the team and earn the respect of older players, but still young enough to be respected by younger players as well. His intensity and willingness to battle in games is second to none. He can lead Canada to a gold medal on home soil. Assistant captains Scott Niedermayer and Sidney Crosby bring leadership from both a veteran perspective as well as a youthful influence from Sid the kid.

There it is, that’s the team I would like to see hit the ice at GM place and take the hockey world by storm. I’m sure there will be many differences of opinion, so let me know what changes you would make in the comments section, or list off your full team if you so desire.