IIHF Centennial All-Star Team

The IIHF Centennial All-Star Team is an all-star team of hockey players from international ice hockey tournaments. The selection was organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation and named in 2008. The panel comprised 56 ice hockey experts from 16 countries representing a balance between North American and European countries, and included people who have worked in the game for an extended period and whose opinions are universally respected. One of the 56 votes represented the collective opinion of the staff of The Hockey News.

The players selected:
* Goaltender: Vladislav Tretiak (Russia) - 30 Votes.
* First Defenceman: Vyacheslav Fetisov (Russia) - 54 votes.
* Second Defenceman: Börje Salming (Sweden) - 17 Votes.
* First Winger: Valeri Kharlamov (Russia) - 21 Votes.
* Second Winger: Sergei Makarov (Russia) - 18 Votes.
* Centre: Wayne Gretzky (Canada) - 38 Votes.

Reviews

The reviews on the selection were mostly positive. "The Hockey News", which participated in the selection, said that they are aware many Canadians might not like it there is only one player from Canada on the list, but admitted the selection was fair and much work was done to make it objective. [ [http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16110-Gretzky-named-to-IIHFs-centennial-allstar-team-Miracle-on-Ice-top-story.html The Hockey News: Headlines: Gretzky named to IIHF's centennial all-star team; Miracle on Ice top story ] ] Nevertheless, the "National Post" from Canada completely supported this selection and even said: "With Wayne Gretzky, four Soviets and a Swede on the Centennial All-Star Team, it's a great one". [ [http://www.nationalpost.com/most_popular/story.html?id=524540 National Post Story ] ] Gregory Sandstrom, a Canadian working at the Saint Petersburg State University at an article to "The St. Petersburg Times" admitted that the Russian domination on the list was fair, and called Canada for revenge on Russia for that in the following Olympic Games. [ [http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=26048 The St. Petersburg Times - Business Opinion - Russia Triumphant over Host Canada ] ]

References

Links

* [http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship/news/news-singleview-world-championship/article/iihf-centennial-all-star-team.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=552&cHash=3a26b76f60 The official list and details about the process of choosing from the official organization web site]