Most of Team Canada's players will wear the same jersey number as they normally wear in the NHL. But of course, Heatley and Getzlaf both normally wear #15, Iginla, Staal and Marleau all wear #12, Morrow and Perry both wear #10 and Toews and Thornton both wear #19. So what does happens then?

In all cases, the older players get to keep their numbers and the youngers ones had to switch. So the 5 players that had had to switch their numbers: Patrick Marleau (to #11), Jonathan Toews (to #16), Eric Staal (to #21), Corey Perry (to #24) and Ryan Getzlaf (to #51). If you notice, Staal, Perry and Getzlaf just switched their numbers around, whereas Marleau, and Toews chose different numbers completely.

Here is the entire list:

5 more days to the Olympics...

9 more days till puck drop...

2010 Olympic Preview:  Team Canada Olympic Hockey Team Roster Evaluation - February 2010

Team Canada's Olympic hockey team is a power house with expectations set high for the upcoming Olympics.  In fact, if Team Canada does not win the gold medal in Vancouver, it will be a disappointment for fans across this country.  The opening game for Team Canada is set at February 16th vs. Norway.  With an NHL equivalent team salary cap of $127,966,666, Team Canada has the most expensive roster heading into these Olympic games.

Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks is the official team captain with Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, and Chris Pronger named as alternate captains.  With his team struggling this season, is Scott Niedermayer the proverbial equivalent of dead wood on this team?  Follow the jump to see how the players on this roster rank in terms of goals, assists, points, +/-, and goals vs. threshold.  The following article is reprinted with permission from the Low On Oil blog:  Team Canada Olympic Hockey Team - February Roster Evaluation.  Is there enough talent on Team Canada for them to win gold in Vancouver?

Photo: Canadian Press

The Athlete's Village is located along Vancouver's False Creek located just outside of the downtown core. It is in one of the most up and coming residential spots in Vancouver nestled right next to the seawall (seaside path for pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters) that runs along Vancouver's shore.

The village is a $1 billion dollar project that consists of a mix of 1,100 low and mid-rise apartment buildings that are planned to accommodate an Olympic population of 2,730. It is located 2.4 km away from Canada Hockey Place and 12 km away from UBC Thunderbird Arena.

Mike Komisarek's dreams of playing for Team USA are over as Komisarek was told by doctors that he would need season ending surgery to fix his shoulder. He was expected to play a shut down role for the team and is now the second player to bow out of Team USA.

In a statement released from the Leafs:

"Our team doctors have recommended this after a determined effort to rehab the injury without surgery," "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."

But he is not the only Leaf not cleared to play as Mikhail Grabovski will not be ready to play for Belarus in time for the Olympics.

Ron Wilson told the media:

"Grabovski is not going to be playing for Belarus in the Olympics because he's not cleared for body contact for another two to three weeks," "So we expect him back after the Olympics."

Sidney Crosby cover's the Canadian edition of Sports Illustrated's Olympic Preview and with a article name of 'Why Canada Must Win', can you tell the pressure is on? Check out Michael Farber's article on Canadians and hockey here called 'Canada Obsessed'.

SI also did a medal prediction in their Feb 8th edition, predicting that Germany will lead the way with 35 medals, Canada second with 30 and Americans in third with 27.

Little-known fact: David Backes is not just an up-and-coming NHL forward. He's also the potential heir to a billion-dollar fortune.

His billionaire parents were lost in a tragic sea accident in the 1970s, after a three-hour pleasure cruise in the South Pacific went horribly awry. His parents were foresighted as well as rich, and had some eggs and sperm frozen prior to their demise. The process to declare them legally dead dragged on for some time, due to several unsubstantiated reports of coconut-radio signals from the general vicinity of their last known position, but eventually it happened.

Welcome to Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics

Photo from Tourism Vancouver

Leading up until the games, besides team previews, analysis and all things to do Olympic hockey, we'll be profiling different aspects about Vancouver here at the Olympic Hockey Blog. Once the Games start of course, you'll find previews, recaps and analysis of every game that matters.

This series will be looking at the venues, the athletes village, where you the fan should catch the game if you are here and anything else that we think you should know. So whether you are visiting this city, live in this city or just want to know what this city is doing in relation to the hockey tournament, we've got the goods. First up, the venues.

Injury Forces Devils Defenseman Out of Olympics

NHL.com's All-Access blog notes that Paul Martin has been forced to withdraw from Team USA due to a persistent forearm fracture.  Martin's statement was posted on the blog:

"After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my name from participation with Team USA at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. While the decision was an extremely difficult one, I feel it is in my long-term best interest to not rush any return to the ice.

"Team USA was informed of my decision earlier today. I look forward to re-joining my New Jersey Devils teammates in the near future, and would also like to wish my fellow Devils' Olympians and the rest of Team USA good luck in their pursuit of the gold medal."

The decision leaves Team USA with at least one, and more likely two, blueline spots to fill by this weekend.  Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek has yet to be cleared for full participation in contact drills and may also be replaced.  The defenseman Corp for Team USA currently includes Erik Johnson of the Blues, Jack Johnson of the Kings, Brooks Orpik of the Penguins, Brian Rafalski of the Red Wings and Ryan Suter of the Predators. An official announcement is expected by this weekend.

Joe Tetreault blogs about sports, culture, business/technology and current events at TetreaultVision in addition to being the Editor for Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.

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