(Beijing) It is to believe that the Canadian opened a branch of his Salon des Anciens in Beijing. Impossible to walk five minutes, behind the scenes of the National Omnisport Stadium, without meeting an ex from the Habs. There are so many of them that they could have formed a team for these Games.
Posted at 3:53 p.m.
Canadian alumni in Beijing
- Sven Andrighetto, Switzerland
- Mark Barberio, Canada
- Jacob De La Rose, Sweden
- David Desharnais, Canada
- Raphael Diaz, Switzerland
- Morgan Ellis, Canada
- Christian Folin, Sweden
- Michael Frolik, Czechia
- Jakub Jerabek, Czechia
- Joonas Nättinen, Finland
- Nikita Nesterov, Country “Voldemort”
- Eric Staal, Canada
- Jordan Weal, Canada
- Yannick Weber, Switzerland
Plus Alexei Kovalev, Jaroslav Spacek and Sergei Gonchar, who coach the Chinese, Czechs and Russians. Plus Adam Cracknell, Max Friberg and Eddie Pasquale, who played for the farm club. Plus prospects Sean Farrell and Frederik Dichow. Plus Daniel Carr, who is… Who is where, by the way? Team Canada maintains the mystery. To date, we have only been entitled to a single clue: it has not yet arrived in China. I wonder why…
Those who are here are tripping hard. Very strong. Think about it: a month ago, Eric Staal was at home. Mark Barberio and Jordan Weal, in Kazan.
Where is Kazan?
In Tatarstan.
Where is Tatarstan?
Well, that’s it. Today, they have an unexpected chance to defend the colors of Canada at the Olympic Games. When I met Barberio at the arena on Sunday, he was still pinching himself. At 31, this is the very first time in his career that he has been selected for the national team.
PHOTO DAVID W CERNY, REUTERS
Mark Barberio
“Never in my life would I have thought one day of representing my country at this level,” he confided to me, emotional. “Winning the Stanley Cup is the goal of all hockey players. But having the chance to win a medal at the Olympics is a dream. I can’t wait to start! »
While waiting for his first official match, on February 10, the Quebec defender is full of strong images. The opening ceremony particularly marked him. “You turn around the stadium in a minute and a half. You look everywhere. That’s when you realize you’re an Olympian. It was really amazing. If I had one chance in my life to weigh in on break, and get caught up in a moment, this would be it. »
David Desharnais, 35, will wear the A for assistant captain on his jersey. “An unexpected honour,” he says humbly. “Actually, I didn’t even think I was on the team. It’s a lot of emotions. You have to be up to it, but you also have to have fun in all of this. »
PHOTO PAUL CHIASSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
David Desharnais
And he has had fun since his arrival in Beijing. He too was particularly impressed by the opening ceremony.
“When Marie-Philip [Poulin] and Charles [Hamelin] raised the flag, everyone was shouting. It was a great team spirit. We were all together. It was really special. I then spoke with a figure skater. He told me that he was skating on February 12 and 14. I realized that after that, for him, it was over. We play several matches, but for the other athletes, often it’s only one performance, then thank you good evening. Hats off to them, because it’s quite a pressure! »
Forward Jordan Weal is equally grateful to have obtained this unexpected chance. Last fall, without a contract in the NHL, he resolved to pursue his career in Kazan, in the KHL. Six months later, he told me that these Games were the best moments of his life.
“It’s unbelievable what is happening to me. Just the opening ceremony, it was surreal. You get chills as soon as you enter the stadium. Being on the track, being part of the show with the other athletes, is an extraordinary experience. One of the most beautiful of my life. I also look forward to encouraging Canadian athletes in other disciplines.
“What would you like to see?”
– All ! I would like to watch any other event, and enjoy the best moments of my life. »
Captain Eric Staal is on his second Olympic adventure. He was in the Canadian squad that won the gold medal in overtime at the Vancouver Games in 2010. At 37, he no longer expected to return to the Olympics. Especially since until mid-January, he no longer even played in a professional club.
PHOTO PAUL CHIASSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Eric Staal
“What would your reaction be, four months ago, if you had been told that you would be the biggest star of the Olympic tournament in Beijing? asked a Slovak colleague.
“Well, we’ll see if that will be the case in the first game. [rires]. I’m really excited to be here. We’ve had two unique years to say the least, so when I was offered this opportunity, I jumped on it. There is nothing better than participating in the Olympics. These are memories that last for a lifetime. »
I continued by asking him what differentiates the Olympics, the playoffs and the World Championship, three competitions in which he participated.
“It’s the presence of all the athletes. It’s no longer just about hockey. We hockey players are passionate about our sport. But here, we are surrounded by other athletes who are just as passionate about their discipline, and who practice it at the highest possible level. When we return to the athletes’ village, we are with them. We watch snowboarding or curling together, in the common areas. It’s really cool. It’s different. It’s unique. That energy, that spirit of teamwork, that excitement, it’s unmatched. »
Let’s be clear: we would all have preferred the NHL players to be here. Even Eric Staal thinks so. I also know that since the withdrawal of the NHL, it is fashionable to make fun of the Olympic tournament. And I admit it, the poster is not particularly sexy. Except players don’t have to be the targets of mockery and mockery.
It is, for most of them, a last chance to shine. Like a green ray at sunset. These guys showed up here with a smile. Dreamy eyes. Lighthearted. They are proud, happy, and rest assured that they will give everything to leave China with a medal around their necks.
These are not taunts, they deserve.
These are our encouragements.