Canadian men's hockey team aims to contend with blend of youth and experience

In the aftermath of the National Hockey League opting out of the Beijing Winter Games, the medal-contending nations took distinctly different approaches to roster construction.

Finland opted for team chemistry and veteran experience, selecting 18 players from the Kontinental Hockey League and nine from the squad that won the 2019 world championship. Similarly, Czechia general manager Petr Nedved cobbled together a battle-scarred line-up featuring David Krejci, 35, and Michael Frolik, 33.

The Americans swung the other way entirely, naming 15 youngsters from the college ranks to Team USA.

And Canada? Well, general manager Shane Doan barrelled right up the middle, opting for a combination of aging veterans, fresh-faced rookies and those in the prime of their careers.

WATCH | Canada takes balanced approach to roster construction:

We'll find out which strategy works starting Wednesday when the puck drops between Switzerland and the Russian Olympic Committee to open the preliminary round.

With the threat of positive COVID-19 tests hanging over every nation, Canada plays its first game Thursday against Germany.

"We're going to have to see with the other teams, with the whole COVID situation, who actually gets to show up and play," Team Canada alternate captain Maxim Noreau said. "Having played at the last Olympics and many Spengler Cups, I know Canada is always going to be one of the favourites."

In 2018, the Russians won gold, Germany silver and Canada bronze at the non-NHL PyeongChang Winter Olympics. This time around, the tournament is being held on the smaller NHL-sized ice, which, in theory, favours Canada and the U.S.

"There is always pressure when you put on the Maple Leaf," Noreau said. "But I think it's a privilege to