Let the media frenzy begin! The 2010 Winter Olympics inched closer this week with the announcements of Team Canada and Team USA’s hockey rosters. Canadian GM Steve Yzerman unveiled his team in a massive conference on Wednesday, while Brian Burke gave his USA selections following the Winter Classic in Boston. Perhaps the most prestigious event of the Games, the men’s hockey teams have been unveiled and fans and media alike are weighing in on the choices, debating whether or not the chosen players will be good enough to compete for gold in February.

These hockey players are the best players in the world for a reason. They’ve all been through every situation that could be thrown at them, both on and off the ice. The Olympics just happen to be the headline stage among the international game. Now that the lineups for the North American teams have been announced, the media and fan scrutinizing over who made the team, and more importantly, who didn’t, has begun.

While the rosters were officially released to the media, changes can be made up until the night before the Olympics begin. Mike Green can still be added to the Canadian blue line, and the Americans can still weigh in on who should be the starting goaltender; Ryan Miller or Tim Thomas. The biggest challenge that the players will face in Vancouver is reduced ice time. Most players are used to playing anywhere from 20-30 minutes a night, but could see as few as 7-10 minutes in the Olympics. In order for a team to win, egos will have to be checked at the door.

The United States, Canada, Sweden, and Russia are going to be powerhouses in Vancouver. Regardless of who made the teams and who didn’t, each country is putting out all-star lineups of players who, unlike the actual all-star game, will care about how they play and the outcome. There’s no chance that the Canadians will allow themselves to finish in seventh on home ice, while the States are going for their first Olympic gold since 1980. It all comes together in six weeks, and say what you will about the choices, but these players are the best in the world, and they will be out to prove it.