Sport-scan daily brief

To help determine their final roster for the Sochi Olympics — which Marchand is something of a long shot to make — the management team and coaches will be watching the Canadian players over the first few months of the NHL season.

That could lead to added pressure.

“I definitely think it’s going to be in the back of my mind, and I think that can push you to play the wrong way,” Marchand said. “Me and [Patrice Bergeron] talked about it — we’re just going to try to help each other out and push each other in the right direction, and hopefully things go well.”

Bergeron, of course, was on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team that won gold in Vancouver. His Boston linemate was there for him Monday at the orientation camp, with the duo paired together, along with the Oilers’ Jordan Eberle, in their ball hockey drills.

(Marchand’s evaluation of his ball hockey skills: “I’m not the best ball hockey player, that’s for sure. It was fun. I thought I had a pretty good running stride; I could get up and down the court a bit. But I have some things to work on.”)

But Marchand didn’t know many of his potential teammates in the dressing room, so he stuck by Bergeron’s side.

“It’s nice to feel comfortable by Bergy,” he said. “He definitely makes it easier for me out here.”

So, too, does the preparation he has done to get here. Marchand anticipated that the Canadians would be practicing on the ice in Calgary — they’re not, because of insurance issues — so he got back to work July 9, just two weeks after the Bruins season ended. One week later, he was on skates.

He didn’t want to be a step behind.

That goes for Team Canada’s orientation camp, and it goes equally for Bruins training camp.

“I think that a lot’s expected of our team,” said Marchand, who will be skating with a new winger this season after Tyler Seguin was shipped to Dallas. “Especially after winning a few years ago, it just seems like fans expect that now and they don’t want any less.

“It almost seemed like after we won the third round, the fans didn’t seem as excited because they expected us to do it. It just shows there’s a lot of pressure on our team and we know that. It makes us push that much harder.”

Awkward moments

It has been only two months since the Stanley Cup Final ended in shocking fashion, with the Bruins losing to the Blackhawks. But the Team Canada camp has given some of the stars of that series a chance for a reunion — even if some of the Bruins would rather not face them. “It’s a tough thing and there’s a lot of talk between the two teams,” said the Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, who played with Marchand in the world juniors and with Bergeron in the Vancouver Olympics. “The series could have gone either way. I have to say Boston is one of the toughest teams I’ve ever faced in the playoffs. You kind of feel guilty in a way and you can’t rub it in their face too hard. You kind of tiptoe around it.”

His hat in the rings

Most of the Team Canada coaching staff has remained the same from Vancouver. The newcomer? Bruins coach Claude Julien, who is replacing Jacques Lemaire on the staff. Julien has been involved with Canadian coaching staffs before, but never with the Olympic team. “I’ve been in the program a few years, but it wasn’t the Olympics and now it’s the Olympics,” Julien said. “Not too many people get that opportunity, and I’m going to take advantage of it. I was actually flattered when I was asked to be part of the group. It’s an honor, and especially this country, which prides itself so much on this game.” . . . Former Bruin Joe Thornton canceled his trip to orientation camp because his 2-month-old son was in the hospital.

Ticket sales

The Bruins announced that individual home game tickets for the 2013-14 season will go on sale on Friday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at bostonbruins.com, on the team’s mobile app, or at the TD Garden box office.

Boston Globe LOADED: 08.28.2013

715868 Boston Bruins

Jarome Iginla gets head start with new team

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Steve Conroy

WILMINGTON — Jarome Iginla’s Bruins career will not officially kick off until the team opens training camp Sept. 11.

But Iginla, eager to get acclimated to his new hockey home, pulled on the spoked B for first time yesterday, taking part in an informal workout with a few of his new teammates at Ristuccia Arena.

“I’m very excited to get here,” Iginla said. “The summer was shorter this year, but it felt good to be short. I want to get back at it. You also want to play long in the spring, right? My family and I came, my kids start school tomorrow, so we wanted to get here early and get as many kinks out as far as learning the driving route to practice or learning about Boston downtown, but also having some fun and relaxing a bit.”

It wasn’t so long ago, of course, that Iginla picked Pittsburgh instead of Boston, choosing the Penguins as the team best suited to help him land his first Stanley Cup. The B’s had to settle for Jaromir Jagr, who made some key contributions to their run to the finals. But still, Iginla always seemed to be a better fit for the B’s than Jagr, who never found a real niche on any line.

Now we’ll see just how well Iginla fits in.

“Obviously, it was pretty tough losing to the Bruins at the time,” said Iginla, whose shot was snared by Tuukka Rask at the buzzer of Game 4 to complete a sweep of the Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals. “They were really rolling. They’re a tough, competitive team and I saw that firsthand. It’s great to be here with them and be a part of it.”

Iginla is the best candidate to step into Nathan Horton’s spot on the line with center David Krejci and left winger Milan Lucic. Yesterday, he did a little offensive-zone work with Krejci, whom he hadn’t seen a lot of until last season’s playoffs.

“I know he’s a very dynamic player and he keeps getting better,” said Iginla, who also was joined yesterday by Rask, Dennis Seidenberg and Daniel Paille. “He’s a very crafty guy, he can score, loves to pass the puck. And he’s competitive. Obviously, the whole team is competitive. You name a player and that (attribute) comes up with each guy.

“I’m not sure where I’ll play, but it’s a well-rounded team with guys who do a lot of different things well.”

Iginla signed a team-friendly, incentive-laden, one-year deal with the B’s in July but hopes this will be a relationship that lasts longer than just the one season. And he hopes his career-long quest for the Cup can bear fruit in Boston.

“I’d like to have a great year for the Bruins, play well, have fun, and ultimately, you want to win,” Iginla said. “A lot of guys here who got so close last year have already won, but you talk to them and talk to guys who’ve won and you want to get back there and win again. It’s addictive. I’d love to be a part of that.

“I did sign a one-year deal, but I hope it works out for everyone and I’d love to be here longer.”

While the one-year deal obviously is an incentive for Iginla to do well, so is the fact that the three-time Olympian was left off the invitation list for Team Canada’s orientation camp, where three of his new teammates (Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic), coach (Claude Julien) and general manager (Peter Chiarelli) are this week.

There was no seething anger regarding the omission from Iginla, and it’s not exactly at the forefront of the 36-year-old’s mind. But he knows he still has it in his power to catch the eye of Team Canada executive director and former Detroit captain Steve Yzerman.

“I loved playing at the three Olympics and I was lucky enough to win two. Those are some of my best memories, for sure, winning gold for Canada,” Iginla said. “I’m not really too concerned about not being at the camp. I feel that a lot of it will be based on guys’ seasons and how it’s going at the time. . . . I just want to get off to a great start and have a great year and have that carry over. . . . I’d love to be on (the Olympic team), but if not, it’s all right. That’s kind of where it’s at.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 08.28.2013

715869 Boston Bruins

Jarome Iginla in the house

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Steve Conroy

Future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla pulled on the spoked B for the first time this morning as he joined a handful of his new Bruin teammates on the ice at Ristuccia Arena for an informal workout.

Iginla, who famously chose the Penguins over the Bruins at the trade deadline last season, surprised some people when he signed a team-friendly, incentive-laden one-year deal with the B's in July.

But Iginla hopes this will be a relationship that lasts longer than just the one year. And he hopes his career-long quest for the Stanley Cup can bear fruit in Boston.

“I'd like to have a great year for the Bruins, play well, have fun and ultimately, you want to win,” said Iginla after the workout. “A lot of guys here who got so close last year have already won, but you talk to them and talk to guys who've won and you want to get back there and win again. It's addictive. I'd love to be a part of that. I did sign a one-year deal, but I hope I works out for everyone and I'd love to be here longer. As a family, I know we haven't been here long, but it looks fun and I know the kids are excited about their school. I'd love to be here for a while and be successful for a while.”

While the one-year deal is obviously an incentive for Iginla to do well, so is the fact that the three-time Canadian Olympian was left off the invitation list for Canada's Olympic camp that's going on now in Calgary, where three of his new teammates (Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic), new coach (Claude Julien) and GM (Peter Chiarelli) are.

There was no seething anger over the omission and it's not exactly in the forefront of the 36-year-old's mind, but Iginla knows he still has it in his power to catch the eye of Team Canada Executive Director Steve Yzerman.

“I loved playing at the three Olympics and I was lucky enough to win two. Those are some of my best memories, for sure, winning gold for Canada,” said Iginla. “I'm not really too concerned about not being at the camp. I feel that a lot of it will be based on guys' seasons and how it's going at the time. I know a lot of the guys there. I just want to get off to a great start and have a great year and have that carry over. If I'm a part of that, that's great. I know they have tough decisions and I feel fortunate to have made it three times because I know they have tough decisions every time and there are so many uncertainties....It's one of those things that may be in the back of my mind, but I just want to play well and hopefully it takes care of itself. When Yzerman did let me know I wasn't invited, he did say that a lot of it is based on the season for guys. Bergeron I believe didn't go (to the camp) last time and he ended up making it. There's that opportunity. But I really just want to focus, have fun and play hard. I'd love to be on it if I am, but if not, it's all right. That's kind of where it's at.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 08.28.2013

715870 Boston Bruins

Burke: US won’t be an underdog at Sochi 2012 Winter Games

Michael Russo

ARLINGTON, Va. — In 2010, Brian Burke, then general manager of the United States men’s Olympic hockey team, gave his players a great cover.

With the Americans turning the page on the red, white and blue careers of veterans Chris Chelios, Mike Modano, Bill Guerin, Keith Tkachuk and others, Burke called the U.S. a team in transition and thus lowered the expectations in Vancouver.

“I don’t think we’re going to sneak up on anybody this time,” said Burke, the director of player personnel for the 2014 U.S. Olympic men’s team that will compete in Sochi, Russia. “People view the U.S. as a legitimate contender. We’re not going to be able to come in on an invisible cloak.”

Three and half years ago, despite those allegedly small expectations, the Americans won a silver medal after losing to Canada in overtime of the gold-medal game.

“It still hurts,” said Wild defenseman Ryan Suter, whose father, Bob, played on the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” gold medal-winning team. “You come so close, you work so hard, and just like anybody who doesn’t win their last game, you’re disappointed. I don’t think it’ll ever wear off.”

That’s why the Wild’s Zach Parise, who scored that last-minute tying goal to send the U.S. to overtime in the 2010 final, said, “In our eyes, we’re going to Russia to win.”

Parise and Suter are two of 48 Americans who are attending the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey orientation camp. For 2½ days, the Olympic hopefuls — 14 from Minnesota — are going through a system work crash course, off-ice training and officially registering for the Olympics and anti-doping program.

Twenty-five players will make the team, which should be announced in early January.

Parise and Suter are shoo-ins. In fact, GM David Poile (Nashville) and coach Dan Bylsma (Pittsburgh) have included Parise and Suter in a leadership group with three NHL captains — St. Louis’ David Backes, Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown and the Rangers’ Ryan Callahan.

The players will be used as a sounding board and all five have a shot at U.S. captain, Bylsma said.

“It’s weird how we’re the older guys here now, because it feels just like a few years ago we were the young guys trying to make a name for ourselves,” Suter said.

Added Parise, “Anytime you’re a captain of any team, it’s always an honor and special thing. But to be captain of the Olympic team would be a whole new level.”

Parise, 29, and Suter, 28, were two integral pieces of the 2010 team. They’ve continued to develop so well, two summers ago they were the two biggest free agents in the NHL and signed identical 13-year, $98 million contracts with the Wild. Parise led the Wild in scoring in his first season and Suter was a first-team All-Star and Norris Trophy runner-up.

“Parise’s tenacity is what makes him so special,” Burke said. “And Suter, I don’t know if his pulse goes above 60 during a game. Players around him sense that calmness. He doesn’t get rattled ever.”

Management met for five hours Sunday. The staff includes Penguins GM and associate U.S. GM Ray Shero, Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon.

Whenever any of the GM’s attend an NHL game next season, they will grade each American player and upload that to a database. Burke and Penguins scout Don Waddell, the former Atlanta Thrashers GM, will act as “bird dogs.”

One Wild player not invited to camp was former Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville. He was born is Canada but has dual citizenship because his mother is American and he played for the U.S. in the 2008 world championships.

Poile said several American forwards on the potential depth chart have their “foot in the door.” But Poile admitted Monday that Pominville “probably should have” been invited to camp. Poile said Pominville’s name has been “put back on the board” and he will be scouted all season.

“If he plays well enough, he’s back in the mix,” Poile said.

Though there are 16 returning Olympians at camp, nobody has been promised a spot.

Poile said every player’s body of work “got them here,” but the most important factor as to which 25 players make the roster will be “what you do in October, November and December.”

“We have some very hard decisions,” Poile said. “We’re not going into Sochi as an underdog. We know every decision we make can determine whether or not we win gold.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 08.28.2013

715871 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks' Sharp ready to answer Team Canada's call

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

9:47 p.m. CDT, August 27, 2013

CALGARY, Alberta — Patrick Sharp never got a call telling him he hadn't made the 2010 Canadian Olympic team.

The Blackhawks winger instead figured out the hard way that despite being among the participants in Team Canada's orientation camp in '09, Sharp wouldn't be a member of the team that later captured gold — and the host country's heart — in Vancouver.

"I knew they were doing some kind of show to release the names on TV and figured they would notify the guys that were on the team beforehand," Sharp said Tuesday at the '13 version of Team Canada's camp in Calgary that will help determine the roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. "Seeing as I didn't get notified, I put two and two together."

Since that disappointing moment, Sharp has gone on to dizzying heights in his NHL career by being an integral part of the Hawks' two Stanley Cup championships in the last four years and earning the most valuable player award of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

Upon reflection, Sharp understands the reasoning behind Hockey Canada's decision to move in a different direction for the '10 squad that included teammates Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

"I was a different player then," he said. "I was 27. I don't want to say I was star struck, but I was excited to be here. But I don't know if I really believed then that I belonged. I know that's a bad thing to say as a player. This time around, I'm much more confident, I've played in some pretty serious games … so a lot has changed for my game."

Make no mistake, playing for his country on the biggest international stage is something the Thunder Bay, Ontario, native covets as much as anything he has done since lacing up the skates for the first time.

"Winning the Stanley Cup obviously was a pretty big accomplishment in Chicago and I consider myself lucky to be a part of that organization to win it again," Sharp said. "But playing internationally for your country, especially defending the gold medal would be something that is amazing."

Would it mean even more than winning the Stanley Cup?

"That's tough to answer," Sharp said. "That's like saying, 'Who do I like better, my wife or my daughter?' It's two things that would be incredible accomplishments. I'm jealous of 'Seabs' and 'Duncs' and Johnny. They were able to win the Cup and the gold in the same year and I certainly want to be a part of that."

Listening to Hockey Canada's management group, it appears if Sharp has a strong start to the NHL season, the 31-year-old could be in line for a phone call right around Christmas informing him he's headed to Sochi.

"He has a very good chance," Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman said. "He can play all of the three forward positions which is a great asset. He plays in all situations, power-play, penalty killing. He has been on teams that have won Stanley Cups and has been an important player. Teams that win, certain traits they have, their players play a certain way and can play in big games and play under pressure and know how to win. He has all those things going for him."

Sharp agrees that it is his versatility that could separate him from the pack into Canada's elite players.

"Something I've done early in my career is really focus on being a versatile player and get plugged in wherever the coach wants me to," he said. "I can play all three forward positions and sometimes I even go back and play defense on the power play. Whatever ways I can be a part of this team I'm willing to do."

A player certain to make the roster, the Penguins' Sidney Crosby, said Sharp has what it takes to don Canada's sweater.

"He's a smart player," said Crosby, who centered a line with Sharp on it during off-ice drills Monday and Tuesday at the orientation camp that ends Wednesday. "He's fast, he's a right-handed shot (and) he has proven he can score goals pretty consistently."

Sharp admitted he will keep an eye on the competition in the first three months of the season.

"We all want to be part of the team so it's natural to compete mentally … (and) look at who you're up against," Sharp said. "I don't think Hockey Canada can go wrong with any decision. We're going to have a solid team at every position."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 08.28.2013

715872 Chicago Blackhawks

Crawford excited to be in Team Canada mix

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

9:48 p.m. CDT, August 27, 2013

CALGARY, Alberta — Team Canada will have some difficult decisions when it comes time to select its roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, but none will be harder than choosing the goaltenders.

Smack in the middle of the mix is the Blackhawks' Corey Crawford, who was among the five netminders invited to Canada's Olympic orientation camp in Calgary that ends Wednesday.

"It's pretty crazy to think about it after being in the minors only four years ago … and now I'm standing here being a part of this," Crawford said. "It's exciting to have a chance."

Crawford was joined at the camp by fellow NHLers Roberto Luongo, Mike Smith, Carey Price and Braden Holtby. Other goalies have a chance to catch Team Canada management's eyes during the first three months of the season and earn a spot.

"It's obviously some tough competition," Crawford said. "Even though there's competition, you're still wrapped up in your own season and thinking about what you have to do and winning games."

Luongo backstopped the Canadians to the gold in the 2010 Games in Vancouver but his career path has been on a downward trend since. Canada coach Mike Babcock said even though goaltending might be the team's biggest question mark at this point, that will change.

"One of these goalies will be real good," Babcock said. "And one of these goalies will be hot going in that everyone will know who is playing goal for Canada."

Said Price: "Everybody has an equal opportunity to earn their spot. They're going to take the guy who's on top of his game and who they feel gives them the best chance of winning.''

Room to roam: The biggest adjustment players are facing will be the larger ice surfaces in Russia, per international rules.

"You definitely have to be able to skate," Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "You have to be smart too. You can't just go out there and skate. It's definitely a game where you have to be good positionally and it might even be more important to be good positionally on this big ice."

Awkward moments: Just two months after the Hawks topped the Bruins to capture the Stanley Cup, members of the teams are mingling during the orientation camp. Five Hawks and three Bruins are attending.

"There was a lot of talk between the two teams and the series could have gone either way," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "I have to say Boston is one of the toughest teams I've ever faced in the playoffs. You kind of feel guilty in a way and you can't rub it in their face too hard. You kind of tip-toe around it."

Young guns: While Team Canada holds camp in Calgary and Team USA in Arlington, Va., 25 of the top rookies in the NHL were in Toronto for the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Included in the event were Hawks prospects Mark McNeill and Adam Clendening. Among other activities, the players were photographed for their hockey rookie cards.

"It's a pretty special feeling to get your first rookie card," said McNeill, the Hawks' top pick (18th overall) in the 2011 draft. "I'm thinking maybe an action shot will look cool."

McNeill and Clendening have been preparing for the opening of training camp Sept. 12 at Notre Dame, where they hope to land roster spots.

"We've been skating for two weeks now in Chicago," said Clendening, a defenseman who was a second-round selection (36th overall) in '11.

Captain Serious: Babcock won't reveal Canada's leadership group until closer to the Olympics, but Toews figures to be among the candidates to wear a letter.

That would suit Toews' Hawks teammate, Keith, just fine.

"(Toews) is unique," Keith said. "Certain guys have that about them. If you look down over the years, he's probably one of those guys who has that certain thing about him that he wins. His demeanor and presence and the way he goes about himself being a pro rubs off on other guys and makes them better too."