Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen selected for Finland’s 2010 Olympic team

by Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

Lehtinen tore up the Olympics four years ago.

DALLAS — Finland announced its roster for the Olympics on Wednesday and it was no surprise that Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen was on it. This will be the fifth time he's suited up for the Finns.

Photo not provided by the Dallas Stars

Stars fans know that Jere is effing metal

"It's the fifth time but every time it is great," Lehtinen said after Wednesday's practice in Frisco. "The first time is special, but going to the different places is great."

Lehtinen's played in Lillehammer (1994), Nagano (1998), Salt Lake City (2002), and Torino (2006). Now it is Vancouver 2010.

"It will be special in Canada," he said. "Could be the best one."

Lethinen's been slowed at times by injuries the past few seasons, including this one, but he's still an effective player when he is the lineup.

"It's amazing that he's played in all of these. He's such a good competitor," said Stars head coach Marc Crawford. "We think he's our best defensive forward. He's going to be able to play for more years because he has such great defensive instincts, positional instincts."

The Finns won bronze in 1994 and 1998 and in 2006 it was a silver medal.

"We played pretty good the last time and got close," he said. "But everybody knows all the teams are good. We're kind of underdogs again. But if everyone can stay healthy, we can have four good lines. Our goaltenders are very good."