The World Hockey Championships
A Preview of the IIHF's Centennial Tournament
Whether you're looking for an alternative to the Stanley Cup playoffs or you just can't get enough hockey, the 2008 World Championships should serve up some sweet shinny.
For the first time in its 100-year history, the International Ice Hockey Federation is holding the World Championships in Canada, the very cradle of the sport. The games in Halifax and Quebec City will give hockey fans a chance to catch some of the world’s greatest players outside the confines of the NHL.
Although the tournament features 16 nations, only about a half dozen sides can realistically entertain dreams of victory. Despite that, all the teams involved have a stake in how they perform at this year’s Worlds. The rankings at the completion of the tournament will provide the seedings for the 2010 Olympic Games.
Canada, the defending champ, comes in as the favourite, having won the title a record 24 times including 3 of the last 5 years. But the home ice may not prove to be much of an advantage. The home team hasn’t won the championship since the Russians pulled off the feat in Moscow way back in 1986.
Here, and in Part II, are some quick reviews of the top contenders.
Canada
Even though the Stanley Cup playoffs prevent many top players from participating, the Canadian team is still stacked from top to bottom. Captain Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes is making his 5th appearance in a Team Canada jersey. He’ll be joined by other returnees like Columbus Blue Jacket Rick Nash, who had 11 points at last year’s championships and Carolina’s Eric Staal who had 10.
The backline is also solid. Young stars like Washington’s Mike Green and Minnesota’s Brent Burns can learn a thing or 2 from Florida’s Jay Bouwmeester, Edmonton’s Steve Staios and Coyote Ed Jovanovski.
Hurricane goalie Cam Ward backstopped the Canucks to last year’s title. This year, he may share time with Pascal Leclaire, who had a breakout year for the Blue Jackets.
It’s all about depth with Team Canada from the crease on out. Add in the extra incentive of showcasing themselves for a possible selection to the Olympic team that will be competing on home ice in Vancouver and it’s hard not to hand the Canadians the trophy before the games even start.
Russia
The Russians haven’t won gold in 15 years, but they’re always a team with a chance to win. A quick peak at the roster reveals a squad heavily laden with players from the Russian domestic league. None of them will be slouches. Still, it’s Russia’s NHLers that are intriguing.
With Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin and Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk alone, the Russians should put on an exciting offensive show. Add in Buffalo’s Maxim Afinogenov and fellow Caps Alexander Semin and Sergei Federov and the Russians will be flying.
Of course, they’ll need to. With a suspect defense and goaltending that’s not NHL caliber, Russia will need to outscore everyone if they want to end their run of futility.
United States
Speaking of futility, the Americans haven’t won the World title since 1960. This time they’ve got a fair crack at it, but not because of a veteran lineup. The U.S. has finally put the likes of Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick and Doug Weight out to pasture. In their place is a young team who could be together at these kinds of events for a long time. While they may not have the name recognition factor, the U.S. will ice a team, save for 3rd-string goalie Robert Esche, made up entirely of NHLers.
Chicago’s Patrick Kane, Boston’s Phil Kessel and L.A.’s Patrick O’Sullivan will create havoc in the offensive zone. If Bruin goalie Tim Thomas, who emerged as an NHL All Star this season, can hold the fort, this team could make some noise.
