Calgary defenseman Robyn Regehr will make his presence known in Torino at his Olympic debut for Team Canada.

Rarified Regehr Checks In
At Olympics
By Marcie Garcia | NHL.com Correspondent
Feb. 14, 2006

At 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, Calgary Flames defenseman, Robyn Regehr was made to get physical. Known for his thundering checks, Regehr's boyish looks and affable nature fly out the door when battling against the biggest and most talented players in the NHL. There is no doubt he will make his presence known in Torino at his Olympic debut for Team Canada.

Regehr or "Reggie" as he is known in the locker room, has the resume to prove it. Known for throwing his weight around, he recently made Buffalo's Ales Kotalik his latest victims, causing Kotalik to completely flip over the boards and upright onto the Sabres' bench. Kotalik called it a "good clean" hit. Regehr's teammates called it "old-time hockey" -- at its best.

"You saw that?" Regehr asked with a grin, clearly proud of his highlight-reel hit. He hopes he can bring some of that physicality to Torino, even if he has to take it down a notch or two.

"International rules are a little bit different than the NHL rules," he said. "But you can still be a physical player, you just have to make sure you're skating really well because the ice surface is a lot wider than we're used to. But by finishing your checks, you're still a big part of it and it's something that I really enjoy during the game. I'll continue to do it if I get the opportunity over there."

Unlike the ice surface used during the 2004 World Cup -- which was the NHL standard of 85-feet by 200-feet, Olympic ice is about four meters wider (98-feet by 210 feet) than North American NHL ice, leaving more room for error.

Although Regehr will still be able to finish his checks, he and his defensive teammates will have to use their brains, not brawn, at the Olympic Games. The close-checking and hard-hitting North American style must take a back seat to better stick-handing and a faster, more fluid pace. Defensemen will have to adjust their game more due to the extra room behind the net, in the corners, and in both neutral and offensive zones. They must shut down attacking forwards before they can even leave the neutral zone, and better anticipate plays. If they don't have the wheels, they'll be in trouble.

"With the Olympics, it's going to be a little bit different style of game with the international ice surface," Regehr agreed. "I'm probably not going to be up in the play a whole bunch, if at all. If I'm paired with an offensive player, then I'm just going to stay back and let him do all the offensive stuff. I'll have to be quick. I'll have to see the ice well."

The poster-boy for a defensive defensemen, Regehr was an easy choice for the Hockey Canada after his impressive play during the Flames' Stanley Cup run in 2004. It was not the mountain-man beard Regehr proudly sported, or his nine-point postseason total. It was his talent for seeing the ice, penchant for positioning, intimidating frame, and quickness -- despite his size -- that helped advance them to seven-games against the eventual Stanley Cup winners, Tampa Bay Lightning. His winning performance on Team Canada at the 2004 World Cup and his silver-medal victory while representing Canada at the 2004 World Championships helped seal his 2006 Olympic berth.

"Robyn is one of the hardest defensemen to play against," said Flames captain and Team Canada teammate Jarome Iginla, who also played alongside Regehr at the 2004 World Cup. "He's a big guy, he's very strong, but he's also very quick, too. When he's out there, he's a tough guy to beat. He moves the puck well, but he's a stay-at-home guy. As far as shutting guys down, he is one of the best."

The poster-boy for a defensive defensemen, Robyn Regehr was an easy choice for Team Canada after his impressive play during the Flames' Stanley Cup run in 2004.

Regehr is modestly thankful for the nod and genuinely excited to be involved in the world televised and historic event. It's a humbling experience for the Brazilian-born son of Mennonite missionary parents, Ron and Edith. After living in Brazil until around age one, Regehr and his family, including Regehr's older brother, returned to Canada, but moved to Indonesia nine months later where they resided for four-and-a-half years. It was there where Regehr's younger brother Richie, also on the Flames, was born. The family finally moved back to Rosthern Saskatchewan -- where Regehr has called home -- for the last 15 years.

But why would Regehr want to play for Team Canada when he would be the clear-cut superstar on the Brazilian hockey team?

"It's a feeling of a lot of excitement, first of all," he said of playing for Canada. "I get that very honored feeling when you have an opportunity to pull that maple leaf jersey on. Playing hockey for Team Canada is one of the thrills in my career."

He is ready to fill any role asked of him on Team Canada. He plans on playing a more positional, but not any less aggressive game.

"I'm just going to play my game," Regehr said. "But I'm happy to be part of the team right now, whether I get a chance to even play or play a lot -- I'm not even sure," he smiled. "But, I'll try to fill in any way I can. I'm at the Winter Olympics and I'm on the Canadian National Team, so with all those factors I'm going to have excitement and be happy with anything."

Team Brazil will just have to manage without him.