At the time of his injury, in mid-November, Ryan Smyth probably had an inside track on securing a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics. He was off to a fantastic start, he has represented Canada in the last two Olympics and, after all, the guy’s nickname is “Captain Canada.” Well, now he has been off the ice for more than a month, and by the time Smyth comes back, Team Canada’s braintrust only has four days before it will name its roster.
Certainly, Smyth’s name has to be in consideration still, but given Canada’s incredible depth at center, and the fact that Smyth is coming off an injury, Smyth said today that selection day, Dec. 30, is making him a little nervous…
SMYTH: “I have to say, it’s been playing a little bit in my mind. I haven’t heard from anybody. It’s disappointing, being injured, with how things were going for myself personally. I would love to play on that team, but that’s not my choice to make. I just want to give myself every opportunity in the next two games.
“I believe they’re announcing the team on the 30th, so I’ve got a couple games to make my stand, if there is one. I just want to give myself every opportunity to be a part of it. I know how exciting it was back in ’02 and ’06. We lost in ’06, but any time you represent your country, it’s an honor.”
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