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Two Bolts invited to Hockey Canada camp, but not Stamkos

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2009

Updated: 07/02/2009 01:06 pm

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos was left off the list of invitees to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp, which will be held in Calgary August 24-27.

Tampa Bay veterans Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis were invited. So was former Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle.

Certainly, based on age, the 19-year-old Stamkos would have been considered a long shot to make the 2010 Olympic team. But after he enjoyed such a productive World Championships in April, there were some who thought he would find his way onto the invitation list.

Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman suggested Stamkos might still be invited. Among those who received invitations is Joe Sakic, who is yet to decide if he will play this NHL season or retire. If Sakic does not play, Stamkos could move up.

If he comes out of the gate strong, he'll be a player I'll watch," Yzerman said of Stamkos.

Lecavalier and St. Louis are on the list of 25 forwards invited. Boyle, who was an alternate for the 2006 team and never saw action, is among 16 defensemen invited.

Here is the list from Hockey Canada's release:

The list of five goalies includes three-time Olympian Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils), and 2006 Olympian Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks). Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury has been invited, as have Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes). Two-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Osgood was not invited, although many had debated his chances during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Just five of the 16 defensemen invited have Olympic experience: Jay Bouwmeester (Calgary Flames), Dan Boyle (San Jose Sharks), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers), and Robyn Regehr (Calgary Flames). Dion Phaneuf of the Flames gets his shot after being left off the 2006 roster for his youth. Rounding out the mix on defense are: Marc Staal (New York Rangers), Shea Weber (Nashville Predators), François Beauchemin (Anaheim Ducks), Brent Burns (Minnesota Wild), Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Stéphane Robidas (Dallas Stars), Mike Green (Washington Capitals), Dan Hamhuis (Nashville Predators), and Chicago Blackhawks duo Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby highlights the list of forwards. The group of 25 has 10 from the 2006 Olympic team roster, including Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes), Simon Gagné (Philadelphia Flyers), Dany Heatley (Ottawa Senators), Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames), Rick Nash (Columbusn Blue Jackets), Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche), Martin St-Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning), Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes), Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning). Youngsters getting a chance are: Jeff Carter (Philadelphia Flyers), Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins), Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks), Andy McDonald (St. Louis Blues), Brenden Morrow (Dallas Stars), Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) Michael Richards (Philadelphia Flyers), Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres), Patrick Sharp (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche), Jordan Staal (Thunder Bay, Ont./Pittsburgh, NHL) Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg, Man./Chicago, NHL) and Dan Cleary, who has impressed with the Detroit Red Wings. One youngster not included on the list is Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos, who drew attention during his performance at the 2009 world championship

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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