Rangers News: Lundqvist named to team Sweden Olympic Team

Note by Joe Fortunato: This is Nick's (NYRBlogger) story, he wanted to post it on the site but had to run out so I am positing it for him. Now onto Nick.

Not much of a surprise here, but over the next week or so, each Olympic team will be releasing their rosters for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics which will be held in February. Today saw Team Sweden releasing theirs, and New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was named to the team as the starting netminder. Lundqvist, 27, backstopped the Swedes to a gold medal victory in the men's Ice Hockey finals in 2006 in Torino, Italy. Henrik will be backed-up by Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson and Stefan Liv of the Swedish Elite League.

Among other NHLers to make the roster are defensemen Tobias Enstrom of the Thrashers, Niklas Kronwall of the Red Wings, Niklas Lidstrom of the Red Wings, Douglas Murray of the Sharks, Johnny Oduya of the Devils, Henrik Tallinder of the Sabres, and Matthias Ohlund of the Lightning. On offense, Sweden will consist of some real talent with Daniel Alfredsson (Senators), Nicklas Backstrom (Capitals), Loui Eriksson (Stars), Peter Forsberg (MODO Hockey), Tomas Holmstrom (Red Wings), Daniel Sedin (Canucks), Henrik Sedin (Canucks), Henrik Zetterberg (Red Wings/NHL). In addition to Fredrik Modin (Blue Jackets), Sam Paahlsson (Blue Jackets), and Patric Hornqvist (Predators).

I believe that with a deep roster like this, and the King in net, Sweden definitely is in the running for Gold yet again. Although, Russia and Canada will put up a strong fight as well. It should be a lot of fun to watch, and there is a good chance that I will be attending the games in Vancouver, so it is something I am anxiously looking forward to.