Pronger Out of the World Cup - TSN

[Epsilon]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=94990

Pronger pulls out of World Cup


TSN.ca Staff



8/15/2004

Chris Pronger has withdrawn from the World Cup of Hockey TSN has learned.

Sources told TSN that the big defenceman tweaked his previously injured right knee while training. Although the injury is not considered major, it is enough to force him to withdraw from the World Cup of hockey, which starts Aug. 31st for Team Canada.

Pronger apparently informed Hockey Canada of his decision to withdraw today.

A replacement will be named from a group that is likely to include Jay Bouwmeester, Brian McCabe and Brad Stuart, amongst others.

Click to read more...

 

[SensGod]

craptastic...

 

[Pinto]

For **** sakes

 

[c-carp]

For me as a Blues fan this is good news, if the knee is only tweaked and he will be reeady for the start of the season.

 

[Kevin Forbes]

uh oh

 

[CanadaAvalanche]

well that's just dandy!

 

[JaykaShman]

Replacement? Aucoin? McCabe perhaps?

 

[Form and Substance]

Bowmeester please.

 

[Epsilon]

There's no way Bouwmeester should be on the team when there are other defensemen with more experience (including playoff experience) and better results over the last few years. This isn't USA basketball where players are chosen to sell jerseys and hype the NBA.

 

[rulin]

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this. This can't be ****ing true.

 

[colonel_korn]

Ouch. That's Canada's top 2 defensemen gone.

We've gone from

Pronger
Blake
Niedermayer
Foote
Jovanovski
Redden
----------
Brewer
Regehr

to

Niedermayer
Foote
Jovanovski
Redden
Brewer
Regehr
----------
Hannan
McCabe/Aucoin/Bouwmeester/whoever

Can't say I like that one bit.

 

[McThome]

I think Aucoin should be the replacement - because we'll need a big minutes man.

 

[Epsilon]

Ouch. That's Canada's top 2 defensemen gone.

We've gone from

Pronger
Blake
Niedermayer
Foote
Jovanovski
Redden
----------
Brewer
Regehr

to

Niedermayer
Foote
Jovanovski
Redden
Brewer
Regehr
----------
Hannan
McCabe/Aucoin/Bouwmeester/whoever

Can't say I like that one bit.

It could be worse, Hal Gill could be on the Canadian team.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

There's no way Bouwmeester should be on the team when there are other defensemen with more experience (including playoff experience) and better results over the last few years. This isn't USA basketball where players are chosen to sell jerseys and hype the NBA.

Since it's on north american ice I agree, however if it was on international sized rinks Bouwmeester would have been quite possibly the best pick IMO.

 

[rulin]

I always thought Bouwmeester would be the next in line, if another defenceman were to withdraw. But losing Pronger is a really big blow, so I think Aucoin should be seriously considered. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves.

 

[think-blue-]

I think Aucoin should be the replacement - because we'll need a big minutes man.

They might also want to add the right handed shot too..

 

[MontrealSF]

Bowmeester' IN !

Phew....

 

[Epsilon]

Canada's defense has definitely fallen behind Sweden's as the best in the tournament with this change.

 

[sharkyz15]

Canada's defense has definitely fallen behind Sweden's as the best in the tournament with this change.

STUART!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Le Golie]

TSN now reporting that J-Bo has officially been named his replacement...

 

[Riggins]

TSN now reporting that J-Bo has officially been named his replacement...

What a horrible choice.

 

[Amen evil king]

What a fantastic choice!

 

[Alb Tkachuk]

Bouwmeester is good, but Hannan is a joke in my eyes! Aucoin, McCabe and Stuart are much better defender!

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

You know what, I'm STILL confident in Canada's defence. Pronger is a blow no doubt, but if we lose because of a couple of players withdrawing, what kind of team would we be?

 

[Epsilon]

Too many of the replacement choices seem to be based on hype, either from the most recent playoffs, or from being considered a future star. There should have been more emphasis placed on experience and consistent performances over a longer stretch of time.