Staal, Ruutu, and Pitkanen Make Canada and Finland Teams

The Finish Team announced this morning that Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen would be on the Olympic roster for Vancouver. The surprise for me is that Jussi Jokinen did not make the Finish squad. Instead team Finland went with a player like Jarko Ruutu, Tuomo Ruutu’s brother, who is known for his grit and aggresive play. The Fins have plenty of skilled guys and wanted to go with the grit which is understandable, but you have to feel for Jokinen who has had a good season so far. Pitkanen was dissapointed that Jokinen was not on the team, “I was hoping Jussi was going to make the team,” he said. “It’s not an easy job to pick the team. Every time some good players don’t make it, but I was hoping.” When Jokinen was asked about being left off the Finish roster he said, “I’m surprised and disappointed.” “Those are probably the two words I can find.”  Jokinen went on to talk about how he’s been trying so hard to make the team since earning silver in 2006. “I think I did well there, and we had a great team that lost in the finals. Since that moment, you’re kind of dreaming of the next Olympics in 2010. I just tried to play good hockey since then and hoped I could make the team. It is what it is right now, and it’s a big disappointment.” Also the bubble boy Eric Staal was named to team Canada this afternoon. Staal has played pretty well since returning from injury, the only thing the goals have not been there. With Maurice putting Staal on the wing, where he will most likely be for the Olympic team, Team Canada was able to see what they could get from Staal. Staal impressed at the wing tallying 5 points in Washington. The only major roster yet to be announced is the US. The US will release its roster during the Winter Classic on New Years Day.