MY TEAM CANADA WITH ... DAVID POLLAK (HC INSIDER)

David Pollak is a business executive by day and referee by night. While holding down his day job at DHL Global Forwarding in performance management, he keeps his passion for hockey alive by moonlighting as a referee in the Greater Toronto Hockey League during the evenings and weekends. Pollak’s love for the game goes a long way back to his childhood where like many Canadian kids, he played organized hockey with his friends in the neighbourhood rink. Years later, he even returned to the same league as a father to coach his son and develop a comprehensive referee program.

Goaltenders: I don’t think there is any argument that Luongo and Brodeur are the consensus 1-2 punch in goal for Canada. Although the third goalie won’t play unless there is an injury, I feel that if this scenario materializes, Canada needs an experienced goalie – someone who could handle the pressure of playing in the Olympics for the home team. Turco is that guy.

Defence: I think Canada’s defence needs a mix of offensive and defensive specialists, and a youthful change from the old guard. With Green, Boyle, and Weber, you have plenty of youth and offence. Keith, Bouwmeester, and Regehr provide the defensive side. Phaneuf, when he is playing well, is a huge physical presence Canada can use.

Forwards: No question that picking the 13 forwards for this team is a huge challenge. There are at least six players who could have been on this list that did not make it. Nevertheless, this group will be very difficult for any country to match. There is a lot of pure offence in Crosby, Nash, Lecavalier, Iginla and the like. As well, with Richards, Morrow, and Toews, you have a group that can be used on a shutdown/energy line to handle the stars of the opposition.