Thursday, January 3, 2002
Anson could be answer to Oly injury problem
By ROBIN BROWNLEE -- Edmonton Sun
Mario Lemieux has a bum hip.
Eric Lindros has a bad noggin.
So, what's wrong with Anson Carter?
Absolutely nothing, when it comes to Carter's health and his on-ice performance these days, which means the Edmonton Oilers forward could find himself wearing a Maple Leaf when the puck drops for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake - if Lindros or Lemieux aren't ready to play.
HE'S ON CALL
Carter, who came very close to earning a spot on Team Canada's 23-man roster announced by executive director Wayne Gretzky on Dec. 15, is basically on call between now and when the first puck drops against Sweden Feb. 15.
"I know I'm on that short list," said Carter, who scored his 19th goal of the season to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 over the New York Rangers last night.
"I knew when I wasn't named to the team that I'd have to continue to do the same things as if I was. You never know when guys are going to get hurt and are going to get healthy. I'll be ready."
Uncertainty over the status of Lindros, who missed last night's tilt between the Oilers and Rangers, his third straight after suffering a mild concussion against the San Jose Sharks, has opened the door for Carter.
Carter, 27, is one of a half-dozen players Gretzky and assistant Kevin Lowe have identified as replacement players, should anybody named to Team Canada not be able to play in Salt Lake.
"I don't want to comment on Eric or anybody, in terms of their health," Lowe said yesterday. "But Anson is a guy who was very close to making the team.
"The statement we made then and will continue to make is that as long as he keeps playing the way he is, and the fact it's sort of inevitable there will be injuries, he'll get strong consideration."
While Gretzky and Lowe haven't committed to a list of reserves, it's believed they've identified three forwards, two defencemen and a goaltender as possible fill-ins - a group including Carter, Boston's Joe Thornton, Alex Tanguay of Colorado, Wade Redden of Ottawa and goaltender Sean Burke of Phoenix.
"We've named him as one of our guys, so, yes, you have a concern," Lowe said of Lindros. "What I'm more concerned about is him as a person. Because he's having head problems, you wonder about his future.
"We went through this kind of thing with Paul Comrie. You hate to see young guys deprived of what they do best."
LEADS OILERS IN SCORING
Carter, who leads the Oilers in scoring with 35 points and attended Team Canada's orientation camp in Calgary in September, plans to go home for the Olympic break, but knows those plans could change any day.
"If I get that call, I'm going to make sure I've done everything in my power to be ready," Carter said. "You never know. Whenever you name a team that far in advance, you don't know what can happen."
Oilers Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer have already been named to Team Canada's roster.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
