What Dreams Are Made Of....

Winter Olympics From Salt Lake City, Utah, 2002

Deadmarsh determined to play for country
Injuries haven't made mission easy
December 3, 2001
By TODD KIMBERLEY
Calgary Herald

For Adam Deadmarsh, this mission has become an audition. Deadmarsh, the fiery forward with the Los Angeles Kings, is intent on wearing the Stars and Stripes at a second straight Winter Olympic Games.

But the native of Trail, B.C., -- who has dual citizenship -- knows time is running out -- USA Hockey officials, who've already named 10 forwards to the 2002 host team at Salt Lake City, will be scouting National Hockey League games for two more weeks before meeting in St. Louis on Dec. 15, when they expect to make their final decision.

Deadmarsh, who's been fighting off one injury after another for 14 months, only returned to action Thursday after a rib cartilage ailment had sidelined him for four games. In other words, the six-foot, 195-pound right-winger has just six games -- including tonight's match against the Calgary Flames at the Staples Center (8:30 p.m. MST, 960 TEAM) -- to build up a good head of steam.

"It would be a great honour," said Deadmarsh, 26, following the Kings' practice on Sunday morning. "And I know there's not many spots left.

"I'm in a situation where I've just got to go out and do my best and hope for the best," added Deadmarsh, one of four players shipped to the Kings in the Rob Blake blockbuster trade with Colorado last February. "There's a little while before they pick the team, so hopefully I can have a couple good weeks, stay healthy and see what happens."

Healthy. Now there's the operative word.

Deadmarsh, second in the Kings' scoring derby with eight goals and 16 points through 19 games this season, has been forced to deal with a morbid parade of injuries ever since the 2000-01 season began.

A month-long recovery due to concussion, a puck in the eye, and torn knee cartilage prefaced that February trade while he was still based in Denver, and limited Deadmarsh to just 57 regular-season games last winter -- although he did come up big in playoffs, with the winning goal in Games 5 and 6 as Los Angeles upset heavily-favoured Detroit in the first round.

This season, the troubles began anew. He missed training camp while recuperating from summer surgery to repair a ligament in his left wrist, developed groin problems that forced him to miss the season opener, sat out another game in late October due to an unrelated rib injury, and had his wrist broken by a flying puck while sitting on the bench during a Nov. 1 home game against Chicago.

That freak accident didn't cause him to miss any games -- but the fates dealt him another blow to the ribs Nov. 17 at Detroit.

"I've never questioned my health in the past," said Deadmarsh, who attended the 2002 orientation camp in September at Colorado Springs, Colo. "Now I find myself doing that a bit -- wondering if I can stay in the lineup. This is getting a little ridiculous. Most guys go through these kind of times in their career. Maybe this is just one of those times for me."

Said Kings head coach Andy Murray:

"It's just a stretch he's going through . . . but he's been an inspiration. He's a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of player. An honest worker. A fierce competitor. He's not going to dazzle you with any one of his individual skills, but the combined package -- and, more importantly, his level of determination to succeed -- makes him a very effective player."

To further cloud Deadmarsh's Olympic aspirations, plenty of other American NHL players have been enjoying career years.

"I love the kid. Adam is an Olympian, he's part of our international program, and he's certainly a strong candidate," said Art Berglund, the director of player personnel for the 2002 U.S. squad. "But, hey, there's other people.

"But as you know, the decisions are becoming more difficult because our pool is much wider than it's ever been," added Berglund, whose U.S. roster has room for three more forwards, three defenders and two goaltenders. "And there are some players who have played their way into the pool, as well, with their performance."

"Guys like (the New York Islanders' Mark) Parrish, (Calgary's Craig) Conroy, (the New York Rangers' Mike) York, (Boston's Brian) Rolston, are all having outstanding seasons. Even Jimmy Dowd (of the Minnesota Wild)," he said. "You throw those in with other forwards we haven't named, like (Kings teammate Bryan) Smolinski and (Edmonton's Todd) Marchant. I can only say Adam's a strong candidate."

Deadmarsh, whose mother is from Spokane, Wash., played on a pair of under-17 teams in Canada, but switched affiliations during his draft year -- starting a long representative history with the U.S. that includes three world junior championships, a World Cup of Hockey and the Nagano Olympics.

"I had no real reason to believe I'd be playing in the world junior tournament that year ('92-93) for Canada," he recalled. "Then, the U.S. called up and asked if I'd like to play.

"My agent called Canada's team, and the Canadian (officials) told me to go ahead. That's where it all started, and I've been with them ever since."

Two FAQ Relating to Adam and the Olympics

Question #1: If Adam Deadmarsh was born in Canada, raised there and his father is Canadian, why does he play for Team USA?

Answer (From the article right above from Adam himself): Deadmarsh, whose mother is from Spokane, Wash., played on a pair of under-17 teams in Canada, but switched affiliations during his draft year -- starting a long representative history with the U.S. that includes three world junior championships, a World Cup of Hockey and the Nagano Olympics.

"I had no real reason to believe I'd be playing in the world junior tournament that year ('92-93) for Canada," he recalled. "Then, the U.S. called up and asked if I'd like to play.

"My agent called Canada's team, and the Canadian (officials) told me to go ahead. That's where it all started, and I've been with them ever since."

Question #2: Adam doesn't wear a face shield in the NHL. Why is he wearing one in the Olympics?

Answer: It's a rule that the Olympic Committee made. IMO, it's a good one, and Adam played well because he's had to do this before... "Male players born after December 31, 1974 shall wear as a minimum, a visor that meets approved international standards."

Olympic FAQ

*~* Equipment *~*

Player: Each team has five skaters and one goalie on the ice at any one time, and substitutions occur as often as every 40 to 60 seconds. Each men's team shall be allowed a maximum of 20 players and 2 goalkeepers for a total of 22 players. Each women's team is allowed two goalies and eighteen players for a total of 20 players. The women may also register an emergency goalie who does not dress with the team and who will only receive accreditation if a primary goalie is injured.

Equipment: The official playing rules specify the use of protective equipment out of concern for the orderly playing of the game, and for the safety, health and welfare of participants. Player and goalkeeper equipment shall consist of sticks, skates, protective equipment and uniforms. All protective equipment except gloves, helmets and goalkeepers leg guards must be worn entirely underneath the uniform.

1. Stick: Sticks are made of wood or other material approved by the IIHF, such as aluminum or plastic. The stick must not have any projections and all edges must be beveled. Adhesive non-fluorescent tape of any color may be wrapped around the stick at any place. Sticks are prohibited from being curved more than 1.5 centimeters.

2. Puck: The puck is made of vulcanized rubber or other material approved by the IIHF and is primarily black in color. The puck is 2.54 cm (1 inch) thick and 7.62 cm (3 inches) in diameter and must weigh between 156 and 170 grams. It reaches speeds of more that 150-km per hour.

3. Skates: Players must wear ICE HOCKEY SKATES with safety heel guards as stipulated by international standards.

4. Shin guards: A device contoured and molded to protect the shin, knee and calf.

5. Gloves: The player's gloves must cover hand and wrist and their palm must not be removed to permit the use of bare hands.

6. Elbow pads: A molded pad that protects the elbow and elbow joint and provides forearm protection.

7. Shoulder pad: Padding that provides extra protection for critical points of the shoulder, biceps, sternum, shoulder blade and spine.

8. Helmet: Players must wear a hockey helmet that meets the approved international standards with chinstrap properly fastened. A helmet must be worn so that the lower edge of the helmet is not more than one finger-width above the eyebrows, and there should only be enough room between the strap and the chin to insert one finger.

9. Visor: A clear plastic shield attached to the helmet that covers down to the lower edge of the player's nose. Male players born after December 31, 1974 shall wear as a minimum, a visor that meets approved international standards. All women players must wear full face masks.

10. Goalkeepers' equipment: With the exception of skates and stick, all equipment worn by a goalkeeper must be constructed solely for the purpose of protecting the head and body and must not include any garment or contrivance that would give the goalkeeper undue assistance in keeping goal. Goalkeepers equipment includes a goalkeeper stick, goalkeeper skates, blocking glove, catching glove, helmet with full face mask and leg guards.

 

Differences between the NHL rules and the rules of the IIHF

Rule	NHL	IIHF
Faceoffs	Visiting center must place stick down first.	Attacking center must place stick down first.
Fighting	Major Penalty	Match Penalty
Goalkeeper's Parimeter	May freeze puck anywhere in defensive zone provided he is being checked.	Incurs a minor penalty for falling on puck behind hash marks or goal line.
Icing	After puck crosses goal line, defending team must touch puck.	Called automatically when the puck crosses the goal line.
Maximum Rink Dimensions	Width: 85 feet; Length: 200 feet; Goal lines are 13 feet from each end of rink.	Width: 98.5 feet; Length: 200 feet; Goal lines are 13 feet from each end of the rink.
Timeouts	Only one team is permitted a timeout during a stoppage; team is permitted one 30-second timeout per game to be used in regulation or overtime.	Both teams are permitted a timeout during stoppage, but second team must notify referee before opponent's expires; also one per game.
Penalty Shots	Fouled player must take penalty shot; if he cannot, another player on the ice must take it.	Any player may take the penalty shot.
Linesmen	May call certain double minor and major penalties.	Have no authority with regard to penalties, except for bench infractions.
Protection of the Goalkeeper	Play not stopped if attacking player is in goal crease, unless goaltender interference is called.	If attacking player deliberately is in goal crease, play is stopped and faceoff is held in neutral zone

Source: NBCOlympics.com