My Team Canada - Cassie Campbell-Pascall : 02/16/2009

Cassie Campbell-Pascall is still the only Canadian captain all-time, in men’s or women’s hockey, to capture two Olympic gold medals. Campbell-Pascall may have retired as a player but remains very active in hockey, as an analyst on various TSN women’s hockey broadcasts and as a reporter with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

Goaltenders: Brodeur brings so much experience, but Luongo will challenge for the # 1 role. I took Ward for that third spot over Carey Price. I just think he brings more experience and has been better overall this year.

Defense: I had a tough time leaving Scott Niedermayer off this list, but I am not sure if he will still be playing. This is still a very mobile group. Boyle is a great puck-moving defenceman, Bouwmeester is a great skater, and Green is pure offence. I think Green will be especially important on the power play. Burns is versatile – he could even play forward. Then you have Pronger and Weber as shutdown defencemen. Phaneuf needs to play better, but he is another all-around defenceman who could be really valuable.

Forwards: For me, that last spot was between Thornton and Marc Savard. Both are great playmaking centres, but I went with Thornton because he has Olympic experience and his size. He has been a third line player in the past and if Canada needs him to play that role again, he can. With the rest of the forwards, I have a good mix, lots of ability and leadership. I could see Nash playing with Getzlaf and Heatley again, as they did at Worlds. Gagne or Lecavalier could play on a line with Crosby and Iginla. And then you have depth guys like Mike Richards, Carter, Doan, Toews and Marleau. Brad Richards was another guy that deserves to be there, but I couldn’t find a spot for him.