Draper Picked for Team Canada

Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper was announced as a member of Canada’s entry in the coming Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament on Wednesday night. It marks the first time that Draper will represent his country in the Olympics.

“Being selected has to be the highlight of my career,” Draper said after the announcement was made. “Being picked for the World Cup was an absolute thrill, but to play in the Olympics is something that is just huge. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, and to be able to represent Canada, I’m just very honored.”

Draper joins teammates Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios as Olympians. The two defensemen were named to Team USA on Monday.

Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman had earlier removed himself from the running for a spot on the Canadian team, stating that he did not want to keep a younger player who deserved to make the team off the roster.

Kirk Maltby and Brendan Shanahan were also considered for the team but were not selected. Shanahan and Yzerman played for Canada in the 2002 Olympics, becoming the second and third players ever to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same year.

Joe Sakic was named the team’s captain. Canada’s roster is as follows:

Goaltenders (3)
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo
Marty Turco

Defensemen (7)
Rob Blake
Adam Foote
Ed Jovanovski
Scott Niedermayer
Chris Pronger
Wade Redden
Robyn Regehr

Forwards (13)
Todd Bertuzzi
Shane Doan
Kris Draper
Simon Gagne
Dany Heatley
Jarome Iginla
Vincent Lecavalier
Rick Nash
Brad Richards
Joe Sakic
Ryan Smyth
Martin St. Louis
Joe Thornton