Zdeno Chara Named to Slovakian Olympic Team

So much for a two-week break in February for the Bruins' captain.

That's because Boston's blue line beast Zdeno Chara will be leading Slovakia to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, as the 23-player roster was announced Tuesday.

Chicago Blackhawks right winger Marian Hossa and New York Rangers forward Marian Gaborik — who is tied for the NHL lead in goals — are also among the 12 NHL players making up the Slovakian roster, which finished fifth at the 2006 Turin Games.

Other NHL players are goalies Peter Budaj of Colorado and Jaroslav Halak of Montreal, as well as defensemen Milan Jurcina of Columbus, Andrej Meszaros of Tampa Bay, Andrej Sekera of Buffalo and Lubomir Visnovsky of Edmonton. Forwards Pavol Demitra of Vancouver, Michal Handzus of Los Angeles and Tomas Kopecky of Chicago will also be making the trip.

Former Buffalo Sabres star Miroslav Satan will be making his fourth Olympic appearance.