Post by Jazz on Jul 14, 2004 17:26:49 GMT -5
No World Cup for Blake
Avalanche star isn't fit enough to play in the World Cup[/color]
By AL STRACHAN -- Toronto Sun
July 14th, 2004
source: www.canoe.com/Slam040714/col_strachan-sun.html
It now appears all but certain that Colorado Avalanche defenceman Rob Blake will not be a part of Team Canada in next month's World Cup.
Instead, he will be replaced by Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks.
MORE SERIOUS
Although Blake's recuperation from post-season shoulder surgery continues to progress well, the damage was more serious than originally suspected.
"They knew there was one tear," Blake said, "but they found there were two tears."
The Team Canada organizers had a short list of potential replacements which included the Maple Leafs' Bryan McCabe, the Florida Panthers' Jay Bouwmeester, and a couple of Hannan's teammates, Mike Rathje and Brad Stuart.
But Hannan's strong playoff performance -- something that was absent from McCabe's portfolio -- tipped the scales in his favour and when Blake makes his decision final, Hannan's selection will be announced.
Hannan was matched regularly against Peter Forsberg in the Colorado playoff series and against Jarome Iginla in the Western final against the Calgary Flames.
He's a very good skater, but his biggest asset may be his hockey sense -- his ability to be in the right position at all times.
WILL BE MISSED
Even so, Blake will be missed. At the Nagano Olympics, he and defence partner Adam Foote logged huge minutes but were not on the ice for a single opposition goal. At the Salt Lake City Olympics, Blake was every bit as dominant.
But as far as the World Cup is concerned, it's almost certain that Blake will be out.
"Even if I did play, I'd have to wear a brace," he said.
The recuperation time for the type of operation that was performed on Blake is four months, and the World Cup opens almost exactly four months from the date of the surgery.
Team official have made it clear they will err on the side of caution when it comes to determining the status of players who might be reinjured if they play.
Blake will return to Denver on July 25 for an examination, but he already has discussed the likelihood of playing in the World Cup with the doctors.
"They weren't too excited about it," he said.
"I'm going to make my decision on the 25th, but I pretty much know what my status is going to be."
Still, most of the defence corps that won the gold medal at Salt Lake City is intact. Al MacInnis, who probably will retire as a result of an eye injury, will join Blake on the sidelines, but the others -- Foote, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Eric Brewer and Ed Jovanovski -- will be back.
Training camp opens in Ottawa on Aug. 20, and Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky doesn't want to make it into a tryout camp. All the players who are named to the team will be on the roster for the tournament.
However, reports suggest that some consideration is being given to the concept of inviting three or four young up-and-coming stars and having them in camp.
The idea is that they would be exposed to hockey at the world level and have their appetites whetted for future international competitions while at the same time adding some capable bodies for scrimmages.
But it would be made clear to them that, barring injuries to roster players, no matter how well they might play they will not be a part of the team once the tournament starts.
Just like Rob Blake.
Avalanche star isn't fit enough to play in the World Cup[/color]
By AL STRACHAN -- Toronto Sun
July 14th, 2004
source: www.canoe.com/Slam040714/col_strachan-sun.html
It now appears all but certain that Colorado Avalanche defenceman Rob Blake will not be a part of Team Canada in next month's World Cup.
Instead, he will be replaced by Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks.
MORE SERIOUS
Although Blake's recuperation from post-season shoulder surgery continues to progress well, the damage was more serious than originally suspected.
"They knew there was one tear," Blake said, "but they found there were two tears."
The Team Canada organizers had a short list of potential replacements which included the Maple Leafs' Bryan McCabe, the Florida Panthers' Jay Bouwmeester, and a couple of Hannan's teammates, Mike Rathje and Brad Stuart.
But Hannan's strong playoff performance -- something that was absent from McCabe's portfolio -- tipped the scales in his favour and when Blake makes his decision final, Hannan's selection will be announced.
Hannan was matched regularly against Peter Forsberg in the Colorado playoff series and against Jarome Iginla in the Western final against the Calgary Flames.
He's a very good skater, but his biggest asset may be his hockey sense -- his ability to be in the right position at all times.
WILL BE MISSED
Even so, Blake will be missed. At the Nagano Olympics, he and defence partner Adam Foote logged huge minutes but were not on the ice for a single opposition goal. At the Salt Lake City Olympics, Blake was every bit as dominant.
But as far as the World Cup is concerned, it's almost certain that Blake will be out.
"Even if I did play, I'd have to wear a brace," he said.
The recuperation time for the type of operation that was performed on Blake is four months, and the World Cup opens almost exactly four months from the date of the surgery.
Team official have made it clear they will err on the side of caution when it comes to determining the status of players who might be reinjured if they play.
Blake will return to Denver on July 25 for an examination, but he already has discussed the likelihood of playing in the World Cup with the doctors.
"They weren't too excited about it," he said.
"I'm going to make my decision on the 25th, but I pretty much know what my status is going to be."
Still, most of the defence corps that won the gold medal at Salt Lake City is intact. Al MacInnis, who probably will retire as a result of an eye injury, will join Blake on the sidelines, but the others -- Foote, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Eric Brewer and Ed Jovanovski -- will be back.
Training camp opens in Ottawa on Aug. 20, and Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky doesn't want to make it into a tryout camp. All the players who are named to the team will be on the roster for the tournament.
However, reports suggest that some consideration is being given to the concept of inviting three or four young up-and-coming stars and having them in camp.
The idea is that they would be exposed to hockey at the world level and have their appetites whetted for future international competitions while at the same time adding some capable bodies for scrimmages.
But it would be made clear to them that, barring injuries to roster players, no matter how well they might play they will not be a part of the team once the tournament starts.
Just like Rob Blake.
