EDMONTON – Team Canada announced its 25-man roster Tuesday morning for the Sochi Olympics, and the Edmonton Oilers Taylor Hall was not on the list.
“I woke up around 8:30 and I had a voice mail from Brad Pascall just saying I’d had a good season so far but they didn’t select me for the team. Obviously, not a great phone call, but one that I was kind of expecting at the same time,” said Hall after Tuesday’s announcement.
“It’s a tough process for them, there’s so many good players in Canada. When you watch the shows this morning and you see the guys that are left off, I don’t feel too bad.”
Hall has 41 points in 38 games this season, placing him in a tie for 15th in NHL scoring, but he was considered a long shot to crack the roster.
“It’s a tough team to make, so I was going to have to do everything in my power to be on the team, and whether I think I’ve improved or not, doesn’t really matter now.”
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On Monday, the 22-year-old said the Oilers’ struggles didn’t help his chances of representing Team Canada in Sochi.
“It’s probably not a positive that we are in the standings where we are, but I think my focus for the most part has been on what we’re doing here not on Team Canada,” explained Hall.
Edmonton sits in last place in the Western Conference.
Sidney Crosby, who scored the game-winning goal over the United States in overtime, is back and likely will be named captain.
Roberto Luongo, who was in net for the completion of the 2010 tournament, could get another chance next month as he’s back on the roster following some tumultuous times.
Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Patrice Bergeron are also among the Vancouver medallists named to the team.
John Tavares and Carey Price lead the group of newcomers, which also includes the injured Steven Stamkos, who is already skating and would like to return from a broken leg before the start of the Olympics.
Canada beat the United States in overtime to win the gold medal in 2010 when Crosby beat Ryan Miller.
It was Canada’s second gold medal since the NHL began sending its players at the 1998 Nagano Games.
Canada opens the Sochi Games Feb. 13 against Norway.
The full roster:
Goalies: Roberto Luongo; Carey Price; Mike Smith
Defencemen: Jay Bouwmeester; Drew Doughty; Dan Hamhuis; Duncan Keith; Alex Pietrangelo; P.K. Subban; Marc-Edouard Vlasic; Shea Weber
Forwards: Jamie Benn; Patrice Bergeron; Jeff Carter; Sidney Crosby; Matt Duchene; Ryan Getzlaf; Chris Kunitz; Patrick Marleau; Rick Nash; Corey Perry; Patrick Sharp; Steven Stamkos; John Tavares; Jonathan Toews
With files from The Canadian Press
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