CALGARY -- Steve Yzerman would prefer to get Canadas players on the ice at the upcoming orientation camp for the Olympic mens hockey team. Daequan Cook Jersey . But the price tag to insure players against injury is too high for Hockey Canada, so the four-day camp starting Sunday in Calgary will consist of informational meetings about the Games in Sochi, Russia, and fostering team chemistry off the ice. "Not going on the ice isnt the end of the world," says Yzerman, the executive director of the national mens team. "Theres lot of other things that need to be done in preparation, logistically going through how were going to get there, where well stay, where family and friends may stay, a walkthrough of the venues, drug testing policy, a lot of informational things we need to go through and get out of the way. This is a good time to do it." Forty-seven players -- five goaltenders, 17 defencemen and 25 forwards -- are scheduled to arrive in Calgary on Sunday and head to Hockey Canadas headquarters at Canada Olympic Park on the citys west side. Canada can take three goaltenders and 22 skaters to Sochi. Among the summer camp invitees are 15 players who won Olympic gold in Vancouver in 2010, including Sidney Crosby. The Pittsburgh stars overtime goal lifted Canada to a 3-2 win over the U.S. in the final. Players invited to the same orientation camp in the summer of 2009 skated daily and finished with an intra-squad game that drew a sellout crowd to the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Saddledome is undergoing restoration from severe flooding in June, but thats not keeping the players off the ice next week, says Yzerman. "Its strictly insurance," he explains. "Its because of the high cost of insurance Hockey Canada is obligated to place on the players were not going to skate." Its up to each countrys federation to insure NHL players against injury at summer camps. Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson has said that would cost over $1 million for the invited 47, whose combined 2013-14 salaries total $259 million, according to capgeek.com. Canadas isnt the only ice-free summer camp. USA Hockey has also decided against an on-ice component to its mens Olympic camp in Arlington, Va., on Monday and Tuesday. The 2014 mens Olympic hockey tournament will be played on wide, international ice, which places a premium on a players skating ability. The new Markin MacPhail Centre at COP boasts a rink that size. When asked if he wished the Canadians could make use of it next week, Yzerman said "yes" twice. The 2002 Olympic gold medallist was also executive director of the victorious 2010 squad. He says even a couple of practices could lay important groundwork for the Winter Games in February. "We have such a limited amount of time to prepare," said Yzerman, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. "I think well have two, maybe three, practices in Sochi prior to the Olympics. "The summer camp, and its only a few days and six months in advance, but its a little time for the players and coaches to get on the ice and kind of run through some of the systems, the way theyll play, the power play, penalty killing, neutral zone and things like that. "At least youll have an idea way ahead of time as to how were going to play. That, to me, was the most important part of going on the ice in August for a few days." Strategy can still be communicated without skating, Yzerman adds. Head coach Mike Babcock and assistants Lindy Ruff, Claude Julien and Ken Hitchcock will have a video session with the players in Calgary. "Im sure well go over different stuff," says Pittsburgh Penguins forward and camp invitee James Neal. "Its a lot tougher when youre not on the ice, but were going there for a reason and Im sure it will help us," Its also crucial players get face time with the coaches, support staff and each other, Yzerman says. "The more time they can spend together, the more comfortable theyll be when they get to Sochi and thats a big part of it, particularly for the young players that havent been to NHL all-star games, havent been to Olympic camps before," Yzerman says. "Theyll walk into the (dressing) room and have spent time with Sidney Crosby before, theyve spent time with some of these veteran guys and theyll be much more comfortable around them." He says players will have time to golf, fish and go for dinner together, as well as work out while theyre in Calgary. NHL training camps start earlier this season because the league breaks Feb. 9-26 for the Winter Games. Kevin Edwards Jersey . Lineup news, Fantasy and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. HEROES St. Louis Blues – After rolling the San Jose Sharks for seven goals, for the second time in a week, the Blues have a bunch of players on hot streaks. Michael Beasley Jersey . - Anthony Beauvillier had the winning goal in the third period as the Shawinigan Cataractes edged the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2-1 on Wednesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play. https://www.cheapheatonline.com/337h-lebron-james-jersey-heat.html . The Cavaliers first-year forward will miss at least three weeks with a strained left knee, the latest setback for the No.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Milwaukee Bucks return home after a decent road trip Tuesday night to take on the Charlotte Hornets at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee went 2-2 in a western swing with wins against the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. The Bucks fell to the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers. On the trip, the Bucks lost prize rookie Jabari Parker for the season after he tore his ACL versus the Suns. On Saturday, the Bucks fell to the Clippers, 106-102. Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 18 points, nine boards and six helpers for Milwaukee. Jared Dudley and Jerryd Bayless each had 16, followed by 12 from Khris Middleton and 10 apiece from Larry Sanders and Kendall Marshall. Brandon Knight tied the game for Milwaukee at 102-102 with 1:29 remaining before two Chris Paul foul shots put the Clippers back in front with 1:12 to play. Knight was off the mark on a 3-point attempt and then on a two-point jumper following a Dudley offensive rebound. Paul took the clock down at the other end, but misfired on a right elbow jumper. Blake Griffin, though, was there to tip it in with five seconds left to seal the outcome. At the end we couldnt convert, Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. On the defensive end we gave up offensive reboundss. Cheap Heat Jerseys. The Hornets are riding a three-game winning streak into Tuesdays contest. They won at Philadelphia, then completed a two-game home sweep of the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets. On Tuesday, Charlotte ambushed the Nuggets, 110-82. Al Jefferson scored 22 points to lead the Hornets. Jefferson was joined by four other Hornets in double figures, including Kemba Walker with 18 and nine assists. P.J. Hairston added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gary Neal added 13 off the bench and Cody Zeller chipped in 10 points. The Hornets never trailed in their third straight win. Charlotte led by 10 after the first quarter, 18 at the half and 27 after three quarters. The Hornets shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from long range. Denver only shot 37.8 percent from the field and 2-for-18 from behind the 3- point line. It started on the defensive end, said Jefferson. Thats a great offensive rebounding team, and I thought we controlled the boards. The Hornets out-rebounded the Nuggets, 44-37. Charlottes Lance Stephenson missed his third game with a pelvic sprain. The Hornets beat the Bucks in Charlotte in overtime back on Oct. 29. Charlotte has won six straight in this series and two in a row as the visitor. ' ' '