The World Cup of Hockey got underway on Monday with the Finnish squad defeating the Czech Republic team by a score of 4-0. It was the first World Cup game in almost eight years since the United States defeated Canada to win the inaugural World Cup of Hockey tournament back in 1996.
This tournament has a strong Canadian Hockey League flavour to it with over 50 participants coming from the CHL. Almost the entire Canadian squad is made up with CHL grads while the Slovakian and American squads are also well represented.
The Canadian squad can thank the CHL for their entire defence core. Six of the eight rear guards hail from the Western Hockey League while the other two skaters and the injured Chris Pronger (Peterborough) learned their trade in the Ontario Hockey League. Eric Brewer (Prince George), Robyn Regehr (Kamloops), Wade Redden (Brandon), Scott Niedermayer (Kamloops), Scott Hannan (Kelowna) and Jay Bouwmeester (Medicine Hat) all got their start in the WHL. Meanwhile the OHL produced Adam Foote (Sault Ste. Marie) and Ed Jovanovski (Windsor).
The majority of the Canadian forwards are also CHL grads. The WHL again produced a strong showing with six forwards including Jarome Iginla (Kamloops), Joe Sakic (Swift Current), Ryan Smyth (Moose Jaw), Shane Doan (Kamloops), Patrick Marleau (Seattle) & Brendan Morrow (Portland). The OHL sent on three of its former grads and Steve Yzerman (Peterborough) was also selected but unable to play. Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie), Kris Draper (Ottawa) & Kirk Maltby (Owen Sound) all played in the OHL in the 90's. Finally four skaters hailing from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will be wearing the Maple Leaf for Canada. Team Captain Mario Lemieux (Laval), Simon Gagne (Quebec), Vincent Lecavalier (Rimouski) & Brad Richards (Rimouski) are expected to bring a lot of speed and skill to the Canadian squad.
Canada is also represented by three CHL grads between the pipes. The QMJHL produced Martin Brodeur (St. Hyacinthe), Roberto Luongo (Acadie-Bathurst) & Jose Theodore (Gatineau). These three represent Canada's biggest advantage over any other team in the entire tournament and will be depended on to provide Canada with that edge.
The defending champion United States team boasts five CHL grads. The total could have been as high as eight but Jeremy Roenick (Gatineau), Derian Hatcher (Saginaw) & Mathieu Schneider (Sarnia) are unable to represent their country at this time. Suiting up for the USA will be Mike Modano (Prince Albert), Scott Gomez (Tri-City), Steve Konowalchuk (Portland) and starting goalie Robert Esche (Plymouth).
The Slovakian team has twelve skaters that developed in the CHL. Slovakia will be heavily counting on several of these skaters to put the puck in the net and to also keep it out at their own end. Marian Hossa (Portland), Richard Zednik (Portland), Martin Cibak (Medicine Hat), Zdeno Chara (Prince George), Jaroslav Obsut (Medicine Hat) and Rastislav Stana (Calgary) all spent time in the WHL. Branko Radivojevic (Belleville), Branislav Mezei (Belleville) and Peter Budaj (St. Michael's) all were highly regarded OHL players at one time. The QMJHL also will be contributing Ladislav Nagy (Halifax), Lubos Bartecko (Drummondville) and Radoslav Suchy (Chicoutimi).
The Czech Republic team has three skaters from the CHL. Both Martin Skoula (Barrie) & Josef Vasicek (Sault Ste. Marie) were stars in the OHL. Jiri Fischer (Gatineau) spent time in the QMJHL. Pavel Kubina (Moose Jaw) was also selected to represent his country but will be unable to, due to injury.
The Russian and German teams also have a CHL presence albeit a smaller one. Russia has Oleg Tverdovsky (Brandon) & Alexander Fomichev (Calgary). Valeri Bure (Spokane) was also selected to play but will not be able too. Germany meanwhile has three players who used to play in the CHL. Their most recognizable face belongs to Olaf Kolzig (Tri-City), Kolzig will be heavily depended upon if the Germans are to have any chance of contending. Jan Benda & Rob Leask (Oshawa) both spent time with the Generals in the past as well and will be counted on to contribute some offence to a limited offensive club.
By the time the World Cup comes to an end, many of these CHL grads will have played a large part in where their team will finish in the standings. Robert Esche will be a deciding factor on whether or not the aging USA team can look to repeat their past success. With Ziggy Palffy, Michal Handzus & Peter Bondra out, Marian Hossa & Richard Zednik will be heavily counted on for their offence. For Canada it could be one of many CHL grads who leads the team to the championship and avenges the 1996 loss for their country.
