Dallas Stars at the Olympics

Monday, February 15, 2010-10:11:pm
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Men's hockey gets underway at the Vancouver Olympics Tuesday. Here's a look at the four Dallas Stars players who will be playing in the tournament. 

Loui Eriksson, RW (Sweden)
  • First Olympics
  • Played for Sweden World Championship and World Junior Championship
  • Will wear No. 91
Outlook
Sweden should be able to roll three potent lines in the tournament and Eriksson is expected to be a wing on one of those trios. Sweden had a small practice with only a few players on the ice Monday, so line combinations may be used to start the tournament are not clear.
Quotable
"It's going to be fun to go there and play in the Olympics. Vancouver is a great place to play. It's the best players in the world. It's going to be awesome. ... It's going to be a tough challenge (to defend the gold medal). There a lot of good teams." - Loui Eriksson

"I think he'll play really well for them. He's such a strong skater. He's so strong on the puck. He's a complementary player in that he can play with just about anybody. He can play on a top line or a checking line. He can play on power play or kill penalties. It will be great for him and a good experience." - Stars coach Marc Crawford
Eriksson's International Stats
Year Tournament GP G A PTS PIM
2003 World Junior Championship (U-18) 6 5 2 7 12
2004 World Junior Championship 6 1 1 2 2
2005 World Junior Championship 6 2 3 5 0
2009 World Championship 9 3 4 7 0
Jere Lehtinen, RW (Finland)
  • Fifth Olympics
  • Played for Finland at 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994 Olympics
  • Won silver medal in 2006 and bronze in 1998 and 1994
  • Also played for Finland at World Championship and World Junior Championship
  • Will wear No. 26
Outlook
Expected to be a key player for the Finns. The speculation is he could end up on a line with Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. Those three have a history together.
Quotable
"It's the fifth time but every time it is great. The first time is special but going to the different places is great. ... "We played pretty good the last time and got close. But everybody knows all the teams are good. We're kind of underdogs again. But if everyone can stay healthy, we can have four good lines. Our goaltenders are very good."

"It's amazing that he's played in all of these. He's such a good competitor. We think he's our best defensive forward. " - Stars coach Marc Crawford
Lehtinen's International Stats
Year Tournament GP G A PTS PIM
1991 World Junior Championship 4 2 0 2 0
1992 World Junior Championship 7 0 2 2 2
1992 World Championship 7 1 1 2 0
1993 World Junior Championship 7 6 8 14 10
1994 Olympics 8 3 0 3 0
1994 World Championship 8 3 5 8 4
1995 World Championship 8 2 7 7 4
1996 World Cup 4 2 2 4 0
1998 Olympics 6 4 2 6 2
2002 Olympics 4 1 2 3 2
2004 World Cup 6 1 3 4 2
2006 Olympics 6 3 5 8 0
2007 World Championship 7 2 2 4 0
Brenden Morrow, LW (Canada)
  • First Olympics
  • Played for Canada at World Juniors and World Championship
  • Will wear No. 10
Quotable
Morrow is expected to bring physical play, energy and character to the Canadian team. At Monday's practice in Vancouver, Morrow was at times the 13th forward and at times practiced on a line with Jarome Iginla and Jonathan Toews.
Quotable
"I've represented Canada at a lot of different events, but the Olympics is the pinnacle, it's the big one. To be included on that team is pretty special." - Brenden Morrow

"He can kill penalties, he hits, he's physical. When you are playing in a short tournament you need guys like that. He can play on the power play or a top line. He's got tremendous character. I'm sure those were all plusses in his ledger when they were putting it all together." Stars coach Marc Crawford
Morrow's International Stats
Year Tournament GP G A PTS PIM
1999 World Junior Championship 7 1 7 8 4
2001 World Championship 1 0 0 0 0
2002 World Championship 7 0 1 1 2
2004 World Championship 9 0 3 3 12
2004 World Cup 1 0 0 0 0
2005 World Championship 9 0 1 1 6
Karlis Skrastins, D (Latvia)
  • 3rd Olympics
  • Played for Latvia at 2006 and 2002 Olympics
  • Also played for Latvia at World Championship
  • Will wear No. 7
Outlook
As one of only two NHL players on the team, Skrastins will be a key player and a key leader for the Latvians. He should log big minutes on the blue line.
Quotable
"To play in the Olympics for the national team and for your country is a big honor. ... It's a tough group and every game is going to be tough for us, but it's not like we are going there just to be there. We are going to try to play good hockey and show people that we can play at the same level as those big teams." Karlis Skrastins

"He's a competitive guy. He battles, blocks shots. He'll be a leader for the Latvian team." - Stars coach Marc Crawford
Skrastins' International stats
Year Tournament GP G A PTS PIM
1993 World Championship (Group C) 7 1 6 7 0
1993 Olympics (Qualification) 4 1 1 2 2
1994 World Championship (Group C) 4 1 5 6 33
1994 World Championship (Group B) 7 3 5 8 0
1995 World Championship (Group B) 7 1 1 2 4
1996 World Championship (Group B) 7 2 2 4 8
1997 World Championship 8 0 3 3 4
1999 World Championship 6 1 1 2 6
2000 World Championship 7 1 2 3 4
2001 World Championship 6 3 0 3 0
2002 Olympics 1 0 0 0 0
2003 World Championship 6 3 3 6 27
2005 Olympics (Qualification) 3 1 0 1 0
2005 World Championship 5 2 0 2 2
2006 Olympics 5 0 1 1 0
2009 World Championship 7 1 1 2 0