Nearly a third of the San Jose Sharks roster will be participating in this falls World Cup of Hockey. Seven members of the Sharks roster will represent their countries when the international tournament drops the puck next week.
Eight teams - Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team USA, Team Europe and Team North America - will participate in a two week tournament that will progress through three rounds, from the Preliminary Round to the Semifinals and culminating with the Final.
The San Jose Sharks presence will be felt throughout.
Joe Pavelski (USA), Mikkel Boedker (Europe), Joonas Donskoi (Finland), Joe Thornton (CAN), Brent Burns (CAN), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (CAN) and Logan Couture (CAN). (Tomas Hertl dropped out of the tourney or else he'd be on this list as well
That's a pretty good chunk of the Sharks roster right there and most of them will play significant roles in their countries success. If you're a Sharks fan, this should make you giddy.
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Pavelski was officially named as Team USA's captain. That's quite an honor and well deserved. He emerged as one of the games best leaders during San Jose's run towards its first Cup appearance. He will attempt to do it again for an American team that many are writing off.
After what I saw from Pavs this spring, I would never bet again him...ever.
Thornton, Burns and Vlasic will no doubt play big roles for the Canadian squad, especially on special teams. All three of them played together on a very potent Sharks' power play unit. If the Canadian's don't play them together they will be missing out on something both very beautiful and very dangerous.
Couture was added to the CAN roster at the last minute. No doubt his epic playoff performance was a big factor in the add. If he plays for Canada like he did for the Sharks in the playoffs they should be in great shape.
For many, this will be their first chance to get a closer look at Boedker, whom the Sharks signed to a 4-year deal when free agency opened on July 1. By all accounts, Boedker turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Sharks. I like him already.
Donskoi emerged as star and new fan favorite last season. His speed was mesmerizing and his enthusiasm was contagious. He now gets a shot to show off his game on the international stage and we're all better off for it.
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Now my dark cloud of pessimism...
Anybody else concerned about the amount of work these guys have put in over the last several months?
I don't necessarily buy into the Stanley Cup hangover theory. But, a long Cup run followed by a highly-competitive tournament could be hangover worthy. No?
Not to mention the potential for injury with the added level of fatigue. Has anybody else given this a thought or am I just being a "Chicken Little"....
Anyway...Having so many Sharks participate in the World Cup of Hockey has peaked my interest level that much more. What about you? Let me know in the comments below.
Hopefully they all return the their teal and black jersey healthy and ready for another crack at that elusive Stanley Cup.
*** Despite all the hoopla about those anthems....
Here is what the NHL said about the anthem situation.
The national anthems of the respective countries competing in each game will be played as part of the pre-game ceremonies in each of the WCH pre-tournament and tournament games. For Team North America, the national anthems of both Canada and the U.S., will be played before their games.
With respect to Team Europe, after careful consideration and consulting with team management and the Players in its leadership group, a determination was made to forego any form of musical tribute prior to Team Europe’s games. Participants from Team Europe were strongly of the view that notwithstanding their commitment to work together as a team toward a common objective in this tournament, their passion and loyalty for their own respective homelands and anthems made any surrogate musical tribute somewhat artificial and therefore unnecessary. Accordingly, only the anthem(s) of Team Europe’s opponent will be played before that team’s games.
All the fun gets underway on Sept. 17.
John Tortorella would be proud.
*** Thanks for reading, Steve