Czech Republic
Outlook: The Czech Republic has dominated the international hockey scene since winning the gold at the 1998 Winter Games. They were viewed as a long shot at the time but proved to have superior team chemistry, the best forward in the world (Washington's Jaromir Jagr) and Dominik Hasek, the best goalie on the planet at the time and a player capable of dominating a single-elimination tournament. Virtually that entire team is back in tact and the expectations will be high.
Key Player: Hasek is again at the forefront. If the Czech team has a vulnerability, it is on defense, though the forwards do such a good job holding onto the puck that opposing teams are kept busy protecting their own net. Hasek has not played up to his impeccable standards this season with Detroit, his first season with the Red Wings, but a gold medal teamed with a Stanley Cup would be enough to push the goaltender to retire and he loves the grand stage. Hasek's excellence during a shootout with Canada propelled his country to gold in 1998.
Hometown Heroes: Jagr is beginning to play the kind of hockey that has distinguished him from the rest of the forwards in the world, and, as the captain of the Czech Republic, will be expected to perform at his best in Salt Lake City. Washington defenseman Frantisek Kucera was extended an invitation to represent his country at the Olympics but declined in order to spend more time with his family.
Olympic medal count: 1 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze (includes medals won by Czechoslovakia).
In 1998: Gold medal, 5-1 record.
Preliminary schedule:
Feb. 15, vs. qualifier
Feb. 17, vs. Sweden
Feb. 18, vs. Canada
Quarterfinals begin Feb. 20.
Olympics