1998 was the first year that NHL players played in the Olympics and could have been a magical year if not for circumstances and the shootout loss. This was the last chance for 80s vets like Gretzky.
2002 was sort of the last hurrah of the generational 1990's era talents who were still on top of the game and probably the most impressive in terms of star power and ability.
2006 was a bad year where the lockout, age, and reliance on substandard veterans made for a very bad team. Many of the players were not generational talents but simply older players who had some good years prior to the lockout in the clutch/grab era.
2010 was the year when Hockey Canada finally included new generation talents along with veterans whose qualities suited Olympic play and chemistry,
2014 was the next step in that development as the primary roles fell to the new generational talents in forward and defense with veterans providing depth and everybody buying into amazing team defense. The commitment to defense and the pure talent allowed the team to capitalize on offensive chances generated in a split second from their defensive chokehold over other teams.
Last edited by Hack&Lube; 02-23-2014 at 08:59 PM.
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