EDMONTON SUN
TURIN, Italy -- Wayne Gretzky says he understands he will be blamed if Team Canada does not win gold at the Olympics.
"But I've been blamed for losses before. It's not going to change my life," the executive director of Team Canada told some 300 reporters at a news conference yesterday.
Gretzky repeated he was not involved in the U.S. gambling ring under investigation back home. He politely declined to discuss the matter further when several journalists tried to raise it again.
"I'm here to focus on tomorrow's hockey," he said. "I'm here to think about the Olympic Games and to keep dwelling on what I said a week ago just doesn't make any sense.''
He said he has not spoken to his players about the gambling scandal, saying they are mature and ready to play hockey. Plus he says athletes at the Olympics are isolated.
Gretzky looked to be gritting his teeth as he entered the room to a light show of flashes from dozens of cameras. He and other Team Canada officials all looked jet-lagged from their overnight trip from Toronto.
Asked about Todd Bertuzzi, Gretzky said he expected the Canucks star to shine on the world stage.
"We know Todd Bertuzzi's a good person and I hope and anticipate and expect him to have a great tournament here. He's done a lot of great things in the community in Vancouver. He's done a lot of great things for less fortunate people and I happen to think he's a good hockey player.
"Todd Bertuzzi's earned his way on this team and he's going to be a big part of our success and I truly hope he has a great tournament."
Canadian players backed Gretzky after their first practice at Palasport Olympico.
"It's allegations, it's speculation, who knows?" said forward Jarome Iginla.
"It's tough to see, but as players, we're all behind him.
"It's great to see him here. Some people were asking whether he should come or not and absolutely, he should be here. And he is."
Canada, ranked first in the world by the IIHF, faces 10th-ranked Germany on Thursday before a day off Friday.
The top four countries in each six-team pool make the quarter-finals after a five-game preliminary round.
Grahame gets the start
Team USA is going in a different direction in net.
While many believed New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro was going to make the start against Latvia, coach Peter Laviolette has elected to go with Tampa's John Grahame in net. That left a sour taste in the mouth of Philly goalie Robert Esche, who has been relegated to the No. 3 role and isn't even going to get a chance to dress.
"They're going with Grahame," said Esche.
"Originally, I was upset with this. But, I didn't go to the world championships and I didn't play last year ... At this point, I'll carry the hockey bags, but I really thought I would play.''
SLIM ODDS: A Swedish doctor, who examined Philadelpia Peter Forsberg, gave him only a 50-50 chance of participating in the Olympic Games. If Forsberg does play, he could be used on the wing because the Swedes are deep in the middle.
OZOLINSH ARRIVES: Anaheim D Sandis Ozolinsh, who has been in the NHL's substance abuse program, arrived in Turin yesterday and is expected to suit up for Latvia.