While the rest of the hockey world continues to debate Hockey Canadas selections and omissions for the mens team going to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, executive director Steve Yzermans roster has already earned a big thumbs up from The Great One. [url=http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Ted-Hen

While the rest of the hockey world continues to debate Hockey Canadas selections and omissions for the mens team going to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, executive director Steve Yzermans roster has already earned a big thumbs up from The Great One. Ted Hendricks Raiders Jersey . "I really think he put together a good team," Wayne Gretzky told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on ESPN.com. "Hes got skill, hes got size, hes got depth, hes got a good coaching staff, and theyve done all their homework. Theyve done everything they can do. Now its up to the players to play at the level that they need to play at to bring back the gold medal." Gretzky is no stranger to building teams for the Olympics, as he helped select the 2002 and 2006 Canadian teams. The 2002 squad snapped Canadas 50-year gold medal drought at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, while the 2006 team finished off the podium in Torino. The team selection is always a controversial process, with fans and pundits naturally second-guessing the picks once theyre announced. "My son, who is 21, who doesnt follow hockey all that much, was showing me the second team that Canada could have put together, which would have been pretty good," Gretzky told LeBrun. "So, even kids down here are talking about it." Gretzky added that Yzerman, who also led the selection committee for Canadas gold-medal winning team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, did a good job of avoiding any real obvious controversy with most of their choices. "There was really no controversy on the three goalies," he told LeBrun. "Those are the three guys and with the ability to have eight defensemen instead of seven, there really wasnt any talk about so and so was left off." Theres one difficult task that Gretzky never had to endure - wear an NHL GMs hat at the same time and tell his own player that he didnt make the team. Thats something that Yzerman had to do with his Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis on Tuesday morning. "Ive always said that its an easy hard job," said Gretzky. "Its easy because youre picking from 50 really good players, so youve got an easy task in terms of having a good team. But its a hard task in getting down to those final few picks; thats what really makes it difficult. Its never fun. It wont be controversial if they win, but as always, itll be controversial if they lose." Foster Moreau Womens Jersey . - Kentucky freshmen Stanley Boom Williams, Dorian Baker, Drew Barker and Tymere Dubose have been charged with disorderly conduct for their involvement with air pistol shots being fired near a residence hall on the South campus Sunday night. Foster Moreau Jersey . The 25-year-old Lu, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions at Kintetsu Kashikojima. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Jerry-Rice-Elite-Jersey/ .In a statement released Friday, the Catalan club said the Brazil stars recovery would be monitored to determine when he can begin training again.ROME -- Novak Djokovic is going to the French Open with a big clay-court victory in his pocket. And a heavy heart. Djokovic extended his recent dominance over Rafael Nadal by rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory Sunday to win the Italian Open for the third time -- then dedicated the title to his flood-hit native Serbia by carving a heart on the clay with his racket. "This heart on the court is for you," he told the fans in Italian during the victory celebration. "Its also a special dedication to my country, which is suffering a lot right now. My heart is with them." In the womens final, Serena Williams kept the crowd from being a factor in a 6-3, 6-0 victory over 10th-seeded home favourite Sara Errani to win her third Rome title. Errani was bidding to become the first Italian to win the tournament in nearly 30 years but the top-ranked Williams quickly took control in both sets and Errani was slowed by a left thigh problem. Williams had a left thigh problem herself last week that prompted her to withdraw before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open but now she appears back on track for the French, which starts next Sunday. "Im not 100 per cent but Im just kind of going on adrenaline," the top-ranked American said. Djokovic found his motivation from a different source. Authorities say 25 people have died in the Balkans because of the worst flooding in a century after three months worth of rain fell on the region in three days this week. Tens of thousands of homes were left without electricity or drinking water. "Im trying to contribute in my own way," Djokovic said. "These are very critical times for our country and our people. But were being united and this win and this trophy is dedicated to them." Having also been beaten in Monte Carlo and Barcelona recently, it marked the first time in a decade that the top-ranked Nadal has lost more than two matches on clay in the same year. Nadal was pushed to three sets in four out of his five matches here. "When he hit the first ball good a lot of times it was very difficult to arrive to the ball and change the dynamic of the point," Nadal said. "I didnt have enough energy to hit the first shot with the right intensity.. Dave Casper Raiders Jersey. " The second-ranked Djokovic has now won four straight matches against Nadal -- the previous three in straight sets -- and takes the psychological edge to Paris. "It gives me a lot of confidence winning against Rafa in the finals of a big tournament on clay," he said. "Its definitely a confidence booster. Its an ultimate challenge and Im very happy with my game so far and hopefully I can carry that into Roland Garros." The French Open is the only Grand Slam that Djokovic has yet to win, with his best result a runner-up finish in 2012. Nadal has won the tournament eight times. Djokovic was able to dictate play by stepping inside the baseline. "I tried to be aggressive from the start to the end," said Djokovic, whose other Rome titles came in 2008 and 2011. "I know that the only way to win against him is to be aggressive." Earlier, Errani left the court for an injury timeout while trailing 5-3 in the opening set and came back with her thigh bandaged. On the final point before she left the court, Errani pulled up and let a shot from Williams pass by her without even attempting to get to it. "Im sorry. You were unbelievable all week," Errani told fans during the victory ceremony, as she brushed back tears. "I tried to do my best and stayed on the court only for you." Williams other Rome titles came in 2002 and last year -- and she went on to win the French Open on both occasions. "Im also sorry for Sara today," Williams told the crowd in Italian. "She really played great all week." Organizers attempted to whip up patriotic fervour by having the Italian anthem sung before the players walked out onto the court, and fans continuously chanted "Sara, Sara" to try and encourage Errani in an atmosphere that more resembled a Davis Cup or Fed Cup setting. But Williams jumped out to a 3-0 lead and while Errani had a few chances to get back into the first set, Williams overpowered the Italian with her serve -- she had seven aces to Erranis none -- and overall attacking game. Still, Errani could console herself by becoming the first Italian finalist in the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto. ' ' '