Canes center Eric Staal and goaltender Cam Ward have earned invitations to participate in Canada's National Men's Team orientation camp, it was announced today.
The summer evaluation camp will be held Aug. 24-27 at the Saddledome in Calgary to assist in preparation for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
A total of 46 players received invites, including both of Staal's younger brothers -- defenseman Marc Staal of the New York Rangers and center Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In addition to Ward, the other goalies in the camp will be Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins, Martin Brodeur of New Jersey, Roberto Luongo of Vancouver and Steve Mason of Columbus.
Staal was on Team Canada's "taxi squad" at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
JR's fault
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 13:05 — SunNobody saw our comments before the paper went to press.
Aside from
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:54 — esteban1949A Cup Ring, Does NOT ever take presidence over going to the Olympics...I wish the best for all the Canes & former canes who got an invite...it is quite and honor.. Go Canes !!
As usual...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:35 — JRs_FaultCanada will have one smokin' team. Ward's performances in the Worlds that last couple years earned him a shot, but that's a stack of good goalies, eh?
[Minor correction on "both Staal brothers" : Don't forget, there's a 4th Staal on the way, Jared is in the Coyotes system)
Very good!
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:27 — Sunand both of Staal's younger brothers who play in the NHL are also invited :-)
Good luck
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 09:52 — vance203Good luck to Staal and Ward (and to Gleason for the USA)! They all deserve their invites.