Tag Archives: 2010 Olympics

Getzlaf, Perry shine in Canada’s win.

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Scoreless after one period with Norway, Team Canada suddenly realized it was Canada and finished off an 8-0 victory in its Olympic opener on Tuesday in Vancouver.

Ducks teammates Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry each had a goal for the host squad. Scott Niedermayer had an assist, as did former Duck Chris Pronger.

Getzlaf and Perry played on the same line, usually at left and right wing, respectively, centered by the Carolina Hurricanes’ Eric Staal. Getzlaf and Perry also enjoyed some power-play time on either side of center Sidney Crosby.

Pronger and Niedermayer were split up for the most part, defying prognosticators, as head coach Mike Babcock used the game against an easy opponent to mix-and-match. But at one point during a second-period power play, Staal was at center with Getzlaf, Perry, Niedermayer and Pronger.

Canada plays Switzerland in its next game

Whitney added to U.S. Olympic roster.

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Defenseman Ryan Whitney was added to the U.S. Olympic roster for the Vancouver Games this morning.

“It will be amazing,” Whitney said. “I’ve played for my country before and it’s quite a feeling. It’s really a feeling like no other.”

The 26-year-old has represented Team USA at the 2001 World U18 Championships (Heinola/Helsinki/Lahi, Finland), the 2002 World Junior Championships (Pardubice/Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) and the 2003 World Junior Championships (Halifax/Sydney, Canada).

This season for the Ducks, he has four goals and 24 points — tied for seventhamong U.S.-born defensemen in the NHL –through 57 games. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason was also named to the team on Thursday.

“You have a lot of pride, you’re just happy to be a part of the team that’s representing your nation,” Whitney said. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I think it’s going to be quite an experience.”

Whitney joins teammates Bobby Ryan (USA), Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (Canada), Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne (Finland), Jonas Hiller and Sbisa (Switzerland). Ryan and Whitney become the second and third Ducks selected to Team USA in franchise history and could be the first to appear in a game. Former Ducks goaltender Guy Hebert was named to the 1998 Team USA Olympic squad, but did not play.

Ducks prospect Luca Sbisa, who is playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, is also expected to play for Team Switzerland.

Komisarek out, two U.S. Olympic ‘D’ spots open.

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U.S. Olympic defenseman Mike Komisarek of the Toronto Maple Leafs will have shoulder surgery that will knock him out of the Vancouver Games and the rest of the NHL season. A date for the operation has not yet been set, the Maple Leafs said Wednesday.

“Our team doctors have recommended this after a determined effort to rehab the injury without surgery,” Komisarek said in a statement. “Having this done immediately is the right thing to do for the Leafs. I am truly sorry that I will not be able to represent my country at the Olympics.”

Team USA recently lost New Jersey Devils defenseman Paul Martin to a broken left forearm, leaving two openings on the blue line. The Ducks’ Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski are already among the names being bandied about as possible replacements. Others include Pittsburgh’s Alex Goligoski and the Kings’ Rob Scuderi.

Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres and Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes are the leading point producers among U.S.-born defensemen, but were not on the initial list of 60 players submitted to the IIHF as Olympic candidates by Brian Burke.

Olympics: Martin out; Whitney or Wisniewski in?

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New Jersey Devils defenseman Paul Martin announced today that he is withdrawing his name from consideration for the U.S. Olympic Roster. Martin, who is currently on the Devils’ injured reserve, was named to the team on New Year’s Day. But his recovery from a fractured left forearm isn’t progressing as quickly as hoped, and Team USA will need to name a defenseman to take his place.


Two Ducks blueliners should be on general manager Brian Burke’s short list. Both Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski received calls just prior to the Olympic roster announcement to let them know they weren’t on the team, a sign of respect not afforded every player who was thought to be on the bubble.

Whitney attended the team’s orientation camp last August, while Wisniewski has had the better season for Anaheim. Both have three goals and 23 points this season, but Wisniewski has accumulated his stats in five fewer games and has a minus-1 rating compared to Whitney’s minus-10. Wisniewski has also proven adept in shootouts lately.

No word yet on who might be chosen as Martin’s replacement.