Crosby Left Off Team Canada’s Roster

Emphasizing past performance over recent results, Team Canada executives ignored rookie sensation Sidney Crosby and standout goalie Curtis Joseph in choosing the team that will defend the gold medal at the Turin Olympics.

Ten of the 23 players nominated Wednesday played at Salt Lake City. Twenty-one played in the 2002 Games or the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

“Certainly there are other players in the NHL having statistically better seasons, but we’re trying to build a team, not statistics,” said Kevin Lowe, Team Canada’s assistant executive director.

Joseph, who has a 2.44 goals-against average, was shunned in favor of Dallas’ Marty Turco, Florida’s Roberto Luongo and New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur, whose numbers are higher. Crosby, second in rookie scoring with 33 points in 33 games, didn’t make it. But Columbus’ Rick Nash did, despite having played only six games because of injuries.

Team Canada’s staff conferred by phone early Wednesday to affirm its picks. Executive Director Wayne Gretzky participated from Brantford, Canada, where he will attend his mother’s funeral today.

“We talked this morning that Sidney could be the leader of the team in 2010, but at this time we want to go with proven players,” Lowe said. “We felt this mix was what we needed this time around.”

Mighty Duck defenseman Scott Niedermayer, the 2004 Norris Trophy winner, will be part of a group that Team Canada Coach Pat Quinn said “might be one of the best defenses Canada has taken into any international tournament.” Niedermayer said he’d been hopeful but “hadn’t really reserved a ticket.”

“Those are tough decisions. I think they sort of went with players they know and feel comfortable with,” he said.

The forwards include Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Joe Thornton of San Jose, third in scoring with 49 points, and Dany Heatley of Ottawa, fifth with 47 points, were chosen, as was Detroit grinder Kris Draper, who has one goal.

Vancouver power forward Todd Bertuzzi was a controversial pick because of his blindside hit of Colorado’s Steve Moore and 17-month suspension. Steve Tambellini, Team Canada’s general manager, said Bertuzzi “has been on our radar for some time....The past three weeks to month, Todd has demonstrated he’s an elite player that will have an outstanding tournament.”

Canada’s women’s team, also the defending champion, includes three-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser and newcomer Gillian Apps, whose grandfather, Syl Apps Sr., and father, Syl Apps Jr., played in the NHL.

Times staff writer Eric Stephens contributed to this report.