Steve Yzerman withdraws from World Cup, Vinnie in

[Jazz]

Damn it....

My favorite all-time player is out of the World Cup...... (I was hoping he'd have one last hurrah.....)

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Steve Yzerman out of World Cup, Gretzky picks Lecavalier to replace him[/u][/color][/size]

PIERRE LEBRUN
Canadian Press
Sunday, July 11, 2004
source: CANADA.COM

(CP) - Vincent Lecavalier will replace the injured Steve Yzerman on Canada's team for the World Cup of Hockey, joining Tampa Bay teammates Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis after all.

Team Canada named Lecavalier to the team Sunday after Yzerman told executive director Wayne Gretzky he would not be ready for the Aug. 30-Sept. 14 tournament. The 39-year-old Detroit Red Wings captain suffered a serious eye injury in the playoffs and hasn't yet decided whether he will return for another NHL season.

"Steve has indicated that he will be unable to participate in the World Cup of Hockey this summer due to his injury situation and that he felt that he would not be ready to be at the level of conditioning required," Gretzky said in a statement released by Hockey Canada on Sunday evening.

Lecavalier, the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft, got the call over centre Keith Primeau of the Philadelphia Flyers, who is still feeling the effects of a concussion he suffered in the playoffs.

Sources indicate Lecavalier's selection was a unanimous choice with Team Canada's management (Gretzky, Kevin Lowe, Steve Tambellini) and coaching staff (Pat Quinn, Jacques Martin, Ken Hitchcock and Wayne Fleming).

Lecavalier, 24, was a surprise omission when Team Canada first named its 26-player roster May 15, but he didn't let it affect him as he helped lead the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship. He had 16 playoff points (9-7) in 23 games after putting up 66 points (32-34) in 81 regular-season games.

Training camp for the World Cup starts Aug. 20 in Ottawa and Gretzky may have another player to add before then if veteran star defenceman Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche can't go because of a shoulder injury. Team Canada expects an update on his condition in early August.

Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks, Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers and Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the leading candidates to replace Blake if he can't go.

Gretzky said recently he was confident that superstar centre Mario Lemieux would be ready to go. The Pittsburgh Penguins owner/player is recovering from season-ending hip surgery.

[roots]

LeCavalier replace Stevie "Y" never. .substitute for him perhaps

[Jazz]

Yzerman withdraws from Team Canada[/u][/color][/size]
Monday, July 12, 2004
By Ansar Khan
source: MLIVE.COM


Steve Yzerman withdraws from Team Canada's World Cup team, saying his facial injuries will not heal in time to play. Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier will take his place


Canada's Steve Yzerman reacts after scoring a first period goal in their semifinal match with Belarus Feb. 22, 2002 at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics in Kearns Utah.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman has withdrawn from Team Canada for the 2004 World Cup, believing his facial injuries will not heal in time for the tournament.

Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky announced on Sunday that Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier will replace Yzerman on the team. The tournament runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.

"Steve has indicated that he will be unable to participate in the World Cup of Hockey this summer due to his injury situation and that he felt that he would not be ready to be at the level of conditioning required," Gretzky said in a statement.

Yzerman sustained a fractured orbital bone, a scratched cornea and a small tear in his iris when he was hit in the left eye with a deflected puck during Game 5 of the second-round playoff series against Calgary.

Yzerman couldn't be reached for comment.

When the Red Wings cleaned out their lockers on May 7, Yzerman's eye was nearly swollen shut, but he said his injuries were not career-ending. He said he planned on playing next season and will wear a visor for the rest of his playing days. He also said if the entire season is canceled due to a lockout, he could be forced to retire because of his age (39).

The Wings plan to start working on a new one-year contract for Yzerman later this summer.

Team Canada, which opens training camp on Aug. 20, still has two Red Wings -- forwards Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby.

[MarmotMike]

Disappointed Yzerman couldn't make it. Nice to see Lecavalier make the team. There was a big controversy that Lecavalier & Primeau didn't make the team initially. I heard that Primeau is recovering from a concussion.

Blake is questionable to play and it sounds like Hannan (SJ Sharks) is the front runner to take his spot.