Iced Tea
12-10-05, 6:19 PM
Lemieux out of Olympics
TSN.ca/CP files
12/10/2005 1:32:35 PM
Mario Lemieux has pulled out of the Olympics.
Lemieux told TSN that he informed Team Canada staff, including Wayne Gretzky, that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the team.
''I talked to (Wayne Gretzky) a couple days ago and I told him that I would pass on the Olympics,'' said Lemieux. ''With the way I have been playing so far and with the young guys we have coming up in Canada, I think the best thing to do is to go with the young guys, the young legs. With Spezza playing very well and Sid and Staal and all these guys, I think it's time for these guys to step up and they deserve to be on the team.''
Lemieux thinks Sidney Crosby would make a solid addition to Team Canada.
''I think he should be on the team. He is going to be part of Team Canada for the next 15-20 years.''
Lemieux's decision comes after he was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after complaining of an irregular heartbeat. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which can be treated with medication.
Lemieux also stated Saturday that he will receive a medical checkup on Monday and hopes to resume workouts in the coming weeks.
Pittsburgh general manager Craig Patrick said the condition should not affect Lemieux's life in any way and that the Hall of Famer should be able to return to the Penguins' lineup relatively soon. Patrick said Lemieux can start on the medication immediately and doctors do not expect any ill effects from it.
Lemieux has had numerous medical problems since his career began in 1984, including a bout with Hodgkin's disease in 1993 that was partly responsible for him sitting out the 1994-95 season.
Lemieux also has been sidelined for long periods with back and hip problems, and he missed two-thirds of the Penguins' 1990-91 Stanley Cup championship season with severe lower back pain.
In 21 NHL games this year Lemieux has seven goals, 14 assists and a -17 rating.Link (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?id=146457)
Another future Hall of Famer stepping aside to let the youngsters have a shot at Olympic glory. Mario and Steve exemplify the classiness of the veteran Canadians who have been fortunate to represent Canada.
Happy to hear Mario is doing well after this latest health scare and I'm sure he will retire if he is unable to play to his level and know that he has had a tremendous career and made a major impact on the game of hockey.
TSN.ca/CP files
12/10/2005 1:32:35 PM
Mario Lemieux has pulled out of the Olympics.
Lemieux told TSN that he informed Team Canada staff, including Wayne Gretzky, that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the team.
''I talked to (Wayne Gretzky) a couple days ago and I told him that I would pass on the Olympics,'' said Lemieux. ''With the way I have been playing so far and with the young guys we have coming up in Canada, I think the best thing to do is to go with the young guys, the young legs. With Spezza playing very well and Sid and Staal and all these guys, I think it's time for these guys to step up and they deserve to be on the team.''
Lemieux thinks Sidney Crosby would make a solid addition to Team Canada.
''I think he should be on the team. He is going to be part of Team Canada for the next 15-20 years.''
Lemieux's decision comes after he was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after complaining of an irregular heartbeat. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which can be treated with medication.
Lemieux also stated Saturday that he will receive a medical checkup on Monday and hopes to resume workouts in the coming weeks.
Pittsburgh general manager Craig Patrick said the condition should not affect Lemieux's life in any way and that the Hall of Famer should be able to return to the Penguins' lineup relatively soon. Patrick said Lemieux can start on the medication immediately and doctors do not expect any ill effects from it.
Lemieux has had numerous medical problems since his career began in 1984, including a bout with Hodgkin's disease in 1993 that was partly responsible for him sitting out the 1994-95 season.
Lemieux also has been sidelined for long periods with back and hip problems, and he missed two-thirds of the Penguins' 1990-91 Stanley Cup championship season with severe lower back pain.
In 21 NHL games this year Lemieux has seven goals, 14 assists and a -17 rating.Link (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?id=146457)
Another future Hall of Famer stepping aside to let the youngsters have a shot at Olympic glory. Mario and Steve exemplify the classiness of the veteran Canadians who have been fortunate to represent Canada.
Happy to hear Mario is doing well after this latest health scare and I'm sure he will retire if he is unable to play to his level and know that he has had a tremendous career and made a major impact on the game of hockey.