ESPN's Melrose: Cam Ward could supplant Robert Luongo as Team Canada's goaltender

Hurricanes

ESPN's Melrose: Cam Ward could supplant Robert Luongo as Team Canada's goaltender

Cam Ward hangs on to deny Sid the Kid. Photo by Mike Hurst.

Oct 15, 2009

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The 21st Winter Olympics are right around the corner. With the games in Vancouver, there's quite a focus on the Canadian hockey team around the NHL.

The Carolina Hurricanes have a couple of players that went to training camp with Team Canada, and they hope to represent their nation in the Olympic Games.

Canes' All-Star center Eric Staal is considered a lock for the Olympic team. Goaltender Cam Ward, though, is in a very tight race with a few other top-tier NHL net minders.

ESPN's Barry Melrose weighed in on Team Canada's position battle at goaltender with The Insiders on 99.9 FM The Fan on Wednesday. The television analyst and former NHL coach believes Ward has a pretty good chance of being the guy for Team Canada in Vancouver.

"Cam Ward is one of the guys in the running," Melrose told The Insiders.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo was considered the clear favorite heading into training camp, but Melrose says he may be slipping.

"I think everyone had him penciled in, but he hasn't played great," said Melrose. "You just can't give it to him because he's Roberto Luongo. He didn't have a great playoffs last year, and he hasn't had a great start to this regular season."

Also in the mix for Team Canada's goalie; Marc-Andre Fleury, Steve Mason and Martin Brodeur.

"Obviously Ward has been a guy that's consistent, played well over his career," Melrose continued with 99.9 The Fan on Wednesday. "I think certainly Cam is one of the goaltenders in play for the Canadian team."

Most Recent Comments

RE: ESPN's Melrose: Cam Ward could supplant Robert Luongo as Team Canada's goaltender

Ward is the real deal and I can see where his name would be on the short list to represent Team Canada. I'm really happy Ward is being recognized for the talent he has, but I worry about injuries. Melrose said in yesterday's interview that there are always a few serious injuries during the Olympics; I'd hate for that to happen to Cam. At any rate, it would be a tremendous honor for Cam and I'm sure he wouldn't pass up an opportunity like that.

RE: ESPN's Melrose: Cam Ward could supplant Robert Luongo as Team Canada's goaltender

Funny, it took WRAL how long to change the typo in the headline? And then you guys erase my post? Nice. Responsible journalism at it's best.

RE: ESPN's Melrose: Cam Ward could supplant Robert Luongo as Team Canda's goaltender

Team Canda? WOW! Don't you mean "CanAda?"
- Posted by TarheelTurtle

Ha! Good catch.
I think Cam is a great goalie (I would love to have him in Washington), but when you look at the names on that list... wow! That's a who's who of NHL goalies. Good luck Cam.