Links - Olympic year could hurt Canada at world championsh - North River Minor Hockey Association

Olympic year could hurt Canada at world championshipssocialcommentssocialcommentssocialcomments News Sports Entertainment Radio TV My Region Member Centre Login Sign UpHalifax (Shearwater) Change City8c Tomorrow1c Flurries or rain showers Hockey Headlines Scoreboard Standings Stats NHL Schedule Teams Players Hockey Night in Canada Highlights Fantasy Pool FIFA World Cup Vancouver Now Football Headlines CFL Scoreboard CFL Standings CFL Stats CFL Teams NFL Scoreboard NFL Standings NFL Stats NFL Teams NFL Players Video Alpine Skiing Curling Figure Skating Basketball NBA Scoreboard Standings Stats Teams Players Basketball News Feed Baseball MLB Scoreboard Standings Stats Teams Players Baseball News Feed Soccer MLS Scoreboard MLS Standings International Stats Soccer News Feed Amateur Sports Golf Tennis Auto Racing LICENSE EMAIL PRINT Text Size S M L XL REPORT TYPO SEND YOUR FEEDBACK Olympic year could hurt Canada at world championshipsMessier officially sworn in as national teams GM for May championship in GermanyLast Updated Wednesday December 9 2009 717 PM ET Comments42Recommend18By Tim Wharnsby CBC Sports The new general manager of Canadas national hockey team Mark Messier did not issue any guarantees Wednesday that the team would win gold at the 2010 world championship in Germany next springMessier who has won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and a sixth with the 199394 New York Rangers was officially sworn in as the national teams GM on WednesdayHe is remembered for his clutch and hardnosed play his leadership and his hat trick in Game 6 of the Rangers semifinal against the New Jersey Devils 15 years ago At the time he assured the Rangers loyal fans that their team which trailed 32 in the series would continue the chase to end the teams 54year Stanley Cup droughtThe task for Canada to win gold at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in an Olympic year has been daunting Since the NHL agreed to shut down its regular season to participate in the Olympics Canada has been shut out of medals in 1998 2002 and 2006Well get a good young team over there that hopefully will be successful said Messier who is well aware that in the past seven world championships Canada has won three times and finished second another three times The only down year was 2006With Canada seeking its 25th world championship Hockey Canada will lean on Mark Messier as the teams general manager He has represented Canada five times as a playerMessiers record as player for CanadaYEARTOURNAMENTSTANDING1984Canada CupFirst1987Canada CupFirst1989World ChampionshipSecond1991Canada CupFirst1996World CupSecondThe reason of course is that Canadas available elite players will need rest and relaxation after an Olympic year not a trip abroad for another pressurepacked international tournamentBut how can Canadian players turn ...