Men's hockey team to be named Dec. 31
Time, place to be determined
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 11:48 AM ET
By Chris Iorfida, CBC Sports
Steve Yzerman told Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Tuesday that he has been impressed with some of the younger Canadian players around the NHL so far this season. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)Canadians can count down to the New Year with debate over who's been selected to the men's Olympic hockey team, with the official roster set to be unveiled on Dec. 31.
Hockey Canada has yet to determine where and at what time the announcement of the 20 skaters and three goaltenders who'll compete in Vancouver will be made.
Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman and his staff have been busy taking in NHL games to get a handle on potential Canadian players. Yzerman will be in Columbus on Wednesday watching the Blue Jackets take on the San Jose Sharks, one night after watching the Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning play in Toronto.
Yzerman told Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Tuesday to expect a mix of experience and youth in the lineup.
"Some of the younger players are going to simply be too good to keep off the team, and in that way we're going to be a younger team than [in] the previous two Olympics … but I do place value in having some of the veteran players," said Yzerman.
The Canadian team will play its first Olympic game at GM Place on Feb. 16 against Norway.
Here are the dates that the 12 countries competing in the tournament will reveal their rosters:
