Jay Bouwmeester Added to Team Canada's Olympic Roster

[VodkaFish]

SUNRISE, Fla. - Hockey Canada announced today that Florida Panthers D Jay Bouwmeester has been added to Team Canada’s active 23-man playing roster for the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. The spot was made available after an injury forced Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer to withdraw from the Olympic Games. Bouwmeester joins Cats G Roberto Luongo and Head Coach Jacques Martin as members of Team Canada’s 2006 Winter Olympics hockey squad.

“It is always a great honor to represent your country and this is something that I am really excited about,” said Bouwmeester. “I look forward to competing in Torino and playing with some of the best players in the game.”

Bouwmeester, 22, has established a career high with 27 assists and leads the Cats averaging 25:23 of ice time this season. The Edmonton, Alberta native has represented Canada winning gold medals at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2003 World Hockey Championships. For his career in the NHL he has played in 199 games scoring six goals with 57 assists and 95 penalty minutes.

[canuck2]

Not suprised. He has played well for Canada in competition. I like the kid.

[rock'emsock'em]

Good skater, good passer, good player, good addition.

[Lead]

This is good addition, no doubt.

[theboo]

I would have preferred Phaneuf because of his offensive upside that would fill the void left by Niedermayer, but truly, it doesn't matter who they picked, they still should win gold.

But, Jay did well in the past, so I suppose he deserves to be there.

[PinoyRon51]

Originally Posted by theboo

I would have preferred Phaneuf because of his offensive upside that would fill the void left by Niedermayer, but truly, it doesn't matter who they picked, they still should win gold.

But, Jay did well in the past, so I suppose he deserves to be there.

Phaneuf isn't as skilled defensively as Bouwmeester yet. Also, Bouwmeester is a better skater (probably the best skating d-man on Canada's team), and is more experienced. Don't get me wrong, Phaneuf is going to be a contender with Bouwmeester and Pitkanen for the Norris for the next 12 years.

[theboo]

Originally Posted by PinoyRon51

Phaneuf isn't as skilled defensively as Bouwmeester yet. Also, Bouwmeester is a better skater (probably the best skating d-man on Canada's team), and is more experienced. Don't get me wrong, Phaneuf is going to be a contender with Bouwmeester and Pitkanen for the Norris for the next 12 years.

I dunno about that. My main thing is having an offensive defenceman on the power play and Jay just can't score. But his 27 assists show he must be getting the puck on goal, which is good. I mainly remember Canada struggling to hit the net a lot in Salt Lake so that is a concern of mine. I personally like Dion, but it will make no difference.

[quiksilver47]

Blake, Foote, Pronger, Bouwmeester, McCabe, Redden, Regehr...sounds like enough offense.