Twenty-eight Western Hockey League grads hit the ice this week as the mens’ hockey competition starts at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Seven of the 12 competing countries have at least one ex-WHLer on the roster, led by Canada and Slovakia with eight apiece.
Canada, a gold medal favourite, is led by ex-Kamloops Blazer Jarome Iginla and ex-Kelowna Rockets Duncan Keith and Shea Weber.
Former Calgary Hitman Ryan Getzlaf is joined by Patrick Marleau (Seattle), Brenden Morrow (Portland) and Brent Seabrook (Lethbridge).
The Slovakian roster includes ex-Portland Winter Hawks Marian and Marcel Hossa and Richard Zednik.
They’re joined by Zdeno Chara (Prince George), Martin Cibak (Medicine Hat), Tomas Kopecky (Lethbridge), Andrej Meszaros (Vancouver) and Rastislav Stana (Moose Jaw and Calgary).
Team Switzerland’s roster includes one player currently playing in the WHL — Portland defenceman Luca Sbisa.
The Swiss roster also includes ex-Kamloops Blazer Hnat Domenichelli and former Red Deer Rebel and Lethbridge Hurricane Roman Wick.