Thrashers' Enstrom latest to make Olympic team

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom found out he made Sweden’s 2010 Olympic team Sunday morning ... in a text message. Without a formal announcement, the news was released over the Internet and then relayed to Enstrom by teammate and countryman Johan Hedberg.

“The Olympics is something you grow up watching and dreaming about playing in,” Enstrom said of what will be his first Games. “It’s always an honor to play for your country. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Enstrom became the third Thrashers player to make an Olympic roster. He joined Ilya Kovalchuk and Max Afinogenov, who were named to Russia’s roster on Friday.

Both Kovalchuk and Afinogenov called the chance to represent their country a “big honor.” However, Kovalchuk is focused on the Thrashers’ schedule prior to the Olympic break.

“All the best players are going to be there,” Kovalchuk said. “Now, we are focusing on our [Thrashers] team. We have [23] games left before the Olympics. It’s good to make the team, but we are professionals and we play here and want to win here.”

Russia has captured the last two World Championship titles but neither Kovalchuk nor Afinogenov were willing to predict an Olympic gold medal.

“Every team is comparable,” Afinogenov said.

The Thrashers have several other players who could make Olympic rosters including Ron Hainsey and Zach Bogosian (United States), Pavel Kubina, Ondrej Pavelec and Boris Valabik (Czech Republic), Christoph Schubert (Germany) and Anssi Salmela (Finland).

The Olympic hockey competition begins on Feb. 16 in Vancouver.

Kane misses practice

Thrashers rookie Evander Kane missed Sunday’s practice after injuring his shoulder in Saturday’s loss to Tampa Bay. Thrashers coach John Anderson said Kane is “day-to-day” after being examined by doctors. Kane was scheduled to make the next leg of the team’s road trip, which continues Monday in New Jersey.

Lack of effort

The Thrashers have lost four straight (0-3-1) headed into Monday’s game in New Jersey. They are coming off Saturday’s 4-3 loss in Tampa Bay as the Lightning took the lead with two third-period goals.

“I thought we played a good game up until that third goal,” Anderson said. “We thought [Alex Tanguay’s goal] was offsides, but it wasn’t and, lo and behold, it ends up in our net. We relaxed and you don’t relax until you hear the whistle. That’s pee-wee hockey. That bothers me, something as simple as not playing it out to the whistle ends up in our net.”

Junior goal scorers

Thrashers prospects Carl Klingberg and Jeremy Morin, both second-round picks this year, each scored goals in the opening round of the World Junior Hockey Championships on Saturday in Saskatchewan.

Klingberg, playing for Sweden, scored in a 10-1 win over the Czech Republic. Morin scored for the United States in a 7-3 win over Slovakia. Morin started a four-goal second period for the U.S. en route to the win.

The tournament continued Sunday.

Chelios re-ups

Chris Chelios, the 25-year NHL veteran, signed a second Professional Tryout Contract with AHL Chicago. Chelios, 47, is not property of the Thrashers. He has appeared in 22 games and is second on the team with a plus-nine rating for the Thrashers affiliate.