“Eagles unable to pull win out of home game”

JANUARY 26th, 2010

Weber selected for Team Canada

By Lachlan Labere - Sicamous Eagle Valley News

Published: January 06, 2010 9:00 AM

Hard work and determination will pay off for Shea Weber in February when he suits up in the red and whites of Team Canada.

The 24-year-old Sicamous product was tagged last month to represent the nation in the 2010 Olympic Games. It's a goal Weber had been working towards, and an opportunity he's proud to be part of.

"The Olympics are a very special event, not only for hockey but for winter sports and to be able to play for your country and compete for a medal is kind of neat," says Weber.

The 6'4", 234 lb. Nashville Predators defenceman will be sporting the maple leaf with other big names in hockey like Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks), Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers) and Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins).

Apart from a camp in the summer, Weber guesses the team may have a couple of days to gel in February before hitting the ice in Whistler, and he's interested in seeing how everyone fits. But Weber's mom and dad, Tracy and James, don't expect Shea will have any problems.

"Whatever they want him to do, he'll do it," said James. "He's a team-first guy, he's not a selfish player at all."

Both parents share what could be described as a subdued excitement for their son and the honour that's been bestowed up on him.

"Shea phoned home and said 'I've been chosen to play in the Olymics, and I said 'okay,'" Tracy commented, explaining it's kind of a family trait not to overreact – one that Shea shares. But she and James who, with Shea, share roots in Sicamous minor hockey, are definitely excited, and are hoping to attend at least one of their son's games.

Sicamous Eagles manager Wayne March is also pretty excited by the news that Shea, an Eagle alumni, will be playing for his community and country at the Games. March says Shea has been totally focused throughout his career on what he wanted to do: make it to the NHL. In the process, Shea helped the Eagles win the KIJHL Western Canadians in 2001-02; he helped take the Kelowna Rockets the three consecutive WHL Memorial Cup championship games, including the win in 2004; and, after signing with Nashville in 2004, he helped the Canadian World Juniors team take gold in 2005.

"He has had a Cinderalla career, and it's all stemmed from hard work on his part, and with the total support of his parents," says March.

Weber is also a regular instructor at Sicamous hockey school in the off-season. This, says March, is indicative of the respect and appreciation Shea has for his roots.

"If you did not know Shea is an NHL player making the big bucks he makes, you'd never know it," says March. "He doesn't flaunt it, he's down to earth, the kids just love him here – he's such an ambassador for our community."

Shea credits Sicamous hockey for helping him get to where he is today. But he says it's his father who was and remains the greatest influence.

"My dad for the most part was my coach all through my minor hockey career," says Shea. "I definitely looked up to him. He put in a lot of effort and in practices and taking care of not only myself but my brother (Brandon) and his team as well."

Shea and the men's Team Canada hockey team will have their first game on Feb. 16 when they face off against Sweden in the preliminaries.