Team Canada: Hitting The Links

Here's some interesting words from Roy MacGregor:

Anyone who thinks Stephen Harper, with his fragile government and fractured economy, has the toughest job in the country should consider the task Steve Yzerman is about to face.

The prime minister of the national game - also known as executive director of the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team - must somehow turn the 45 red and white players who will take to the ice this evening at the Pengrowth Saddledome into gold.

Silver or bronze - Canadian hockey's equivalent of winning a minority government - simply will not do.

Here's the full story. With Team Canada training camp opening today, this country is going to be crazy from here on in regarding the Olympics. Every tiny detail will be over-analyzed ridiculously. It's all part of the unmatchable pressure Canada faces. Here are some more interesting stories coming out Team Canada training camp:

• Although some big names are missing from camp, Yzerman has not ruled them out.
• That being said, there are a few shoo-ins.
  
• Mike Babcock plans on picking 1988 Olympic coach Dave King's mind.
  
• James Mirtle suggests says the camp is nothing to get excited about.
• CBC's Jeff Marek is at camp, is excited, and is all over the many story lines.
  
• Will Sidney Crosby become Captain Canada? Or maybe Jarome Iginla?
  
• Former Captain Canada Ryan Smyth knows he's a long shot to make the team this time around.
• Dany Heatley may have pissed off a lot people in this country this summer, but he's focused strictly on winning gold for Canada.
• CBC offers some Team Canada training camp history, including 1972, the Canada Cups and past Olympics.

The Globe and Mail also has a heartbreaking story about a Canadian Olympic hockey legend forced to the sidelines: former Canadian women's goaltender Sami-Jo Small, who was cut from 2010 consideration.