Olympic team predictions from 1998

[JackFr]

I just found "Total Hockey - The Official NHL Encyclopedia", released before the 1998-99 season. In one of the sections, it predicts the Olympic teams for both 2002 and 2006.

Canada:

2002

Martin Brodeur
Chris Osgood
Felix Potvin

Rob Blake
Chris Pronger
Adam Foote
Scott Niedermayer
Darryl Sydor
Ed Jovanovski
Kyle McLaren

Paul Kariya
Eric Lindros
Joe Sakic
Keith Primeau
Brendan Shanahan
Trevor Linden
Jeff Friesen
Ryan Smyth
Jarome Iginla
Eric Daze
Kris Draper
Mike Peca
Rob Niedermayer

2006

Martin Brodeur
Marc Denis
Roberto Luongo

Chris Pronger
Scott Niedermayer
Kyle McLaren
Ed Jovanovski
Eric Brewer
Richard Jackman
Derek Morris

Paul Kariya
Eric Lindros
Jeff Friesen
Mike Peca
Jarome Iginla
Ryan Smyth
Eric Daze
Joe Thornton
Brendan Morrison
Rob Niedermayer
Vincent Lecavalier
Rico Fata
Chris Gratton

USA:

2002:

Mike Richter
Mike Dunham
Guy Hebert

Derian Hatcher
Bryan Berard
Brian Leetch
Mathieu Schneider
Scott Lachance
Paul Mara
Deron Quint

Keith Tkachuk
Doug Weight
Bill Guerin
Jeremy Roenick
Tony Amonte
Adam Deadmarsh
John LeClair
Jamie Langenbrunner
Steve Konowalchuk
Bryan Smolinski
Mike Modano
Bill Lindsay
Todd Marchant

2006:

Jim Carey
Brian Boucher
Jean-Marc Pelletier

Derian Hatcher
Bryan Berard
Scott Lachance
Paul Mara
Nik Tselios
Mike McBain
Brad Winchester

Keith Tkachuk
Jamie Langenbrunner
Steve Konowalchuk
Adam Deadmarsh
Brian Rolston
David Legwand
Erik Rasmussen
Matt Cullen
Tim Connolly
Ty Jones
Chris Drury
Marty Reasoner
Scott Gomez

Thought it was interesting.

Click to read more...

 

[begbeee]

Chris Gratton missing in 2002 and nominated for 2006 seems interesting to me.

 

[JackFr]

Just how much of a bust was Rico Fata?

 

[seventieslord]

I've known for years this thread would be coming one day.

 

[Your old Jofa helmet]

US Goalies from 2006 look ridiculous

 

[unknown33]

Bolded correct preditions
Kyle McLaren and Rico Fata?

2002

Martin Brodeur
Chris Osgood
Felix Potvin

Rob Blake
Chris Pronger
Adam Foote
Scott Niedermayer
Darryl Sydor
Ed Jovanovski
Kyle McLaren

Paul Kariya
Eric Lindros
Joe Sakic
Keith Primeau
Brendan Shanahan
Trevor Linden
Jeff Friesen
Ryan Smyth
Jarome Iginla
Eric Daze
Kris Draper
Mike Peca
Rob Niedermayer

2006

Martin Brodeur
Marc Denis
Roberto Luongo

Chris Pronger
Scott Niedermayer
Kyle McLaren
Ed Jovanovski
Eric Brewer
Richard Jackman
Derek Morris

Paul Kariya
Eric Lindros
Jeff Friesen
Mike Peca
Jarome Iginla
Ryan Smyth
Eric Daze
Joe Thornton
Brendan Morrison
Rob Niedermayer
Vincent Lecavalier
Rico Fata
Chris Gratton

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Rob Blake
Chris Pronger
Adam Foote
Scott Niedermayer
Darryl Sydor
Ed Jovanovski
Kyle McLaren

Foote was there in 2002 too.

 

[Sensfanman]

I know at least Nieds was on the 06 team but was injured. Possibly more.

Also, I love these ancient predictions.

 

[popculturereference]

As funny as it to see Rico Fata on the Olympic team, I am pretty surprised at how many names this list did get correct for Canada. Maybe I am doubting my own abilities, but I don't think I'd be able to come up with seven correct names for the 2020 Olympics (if the NHL is playing). As Eric Lindros shows, even the biggest stars of today have no guarantee of being there.

I also haven't heard of some of the U.S. players.

 

[Big Phil]

Those forwards would have been weak for Canada in 2002. I mean Friesen, Linden, Draper and Rob Niedermayer? Yikes.

Someone asked about Rico Fata. Yeah he was highly touted around that time. His speed was something to behold, just by watching him at that time I wouldn't be shocked at all if he'd have been faster than anyone else in the NHL at the time - this includes Bure. But there was one problem with him, his head didn't match his feet. On his draft day the Flames picked him up and on the big screen the scouting report on him said "great wheels, limited hockey sense" or along those lines. Kind of funny when you think about it now but this just goes to show you how important hockey sense will take you in the NHL even if you aren't as fast as the wind (John Tavares).

I noticed this when watching him a lot too whether it was in junior or in the NHL. The puck would always get caught in his skates, or he'd just take the puck and skate with it not being aware of his teammates. He wasn't a great passer either. Eventually you just figure a teenager is awkward and it's a stage he'll grow out of but it never happened.

 

[connellc]

LMAO@Ty Jones. Def wrong on that. It is hard to predict Olympic teams so far in the future though...

 

[Darrelle Lundqvist]

lol rico fata. who the **** is nik tsleios?

 

[unknown33]

lol rico fata. who the **** is nik tsleios?

Chris Chelios' distant cousin.
Not joking.

 

[McRpro]

Chris Chelios' distant cousin.
Not joking.

I remember THN draft preview that year with him. His family kept the traditional Greek spelling of the last name.

 

[SidGenoMario]

I burst out laughing at Rico Fata.

 

[seventieslord]

I burst out laughing at Rico Fata.

I remember a 1995 THN article of him when he was 15. He really was supposed to be the next big thing.