The national teams have embarked on the long and winding road to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. All the elite hockey nations with the exception of Czech Republic have published the candidates for the Olympic rosters. The first orientation camps take place in August. Here's an overview.

Finland and Canada have nominated nearly 50 players. As the final roster (announced no later than 31 December 2009) will be limited to 23 players, this means that more than half of the players will be cut.

  RUSSIA

Slava Bykov, the Russian headcoach, has nominated 38 players with an almost perfect balance of NHL'ers and KHL'ers. Salavat Yulaev Ufa is the biggest supplier with 8 players. Incidentally, Bykov will coach this team next season. The first Russian Olympic orientation camp will open on 29 August and last for a couple of days.

Goaltenders
Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Aleksander Eremenko, Salavat (KHL)
Evgeni Nabokov,  San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Semon Varlamov, Washington Capitals (NHL)

Defense
Vitaly Atyushov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Dennis Grebeshkov, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Dmitri Kalinin, Salavat (KHL)
Maksim Kondratiev, Salavat (KHL)
Maksim Korneev, CSKA (KHL)
Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Ilya Nikulin, Ak Bars (KHL)
Vitaly Proshkin, Salavat (KHL)
Oleg Tverdovsky, Salavat (KHL)
Fedor Tyutin, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Vitaly Vishnevsky, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Anton Volchenkov, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Aleksei Zhitnik, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
Sergei Zubov, SKA St. Petersburg

Forwards
Evgeni Artyukhin, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Maksim Afinogenov (without club)
Konstantin Gorovikov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Danis Zaripov, Ak Bars (KHL)
Sergei Zinoviev, Salavat (KHL)
Aleksei Kovalev, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Viktor Kozlov, Salavat (KHL)
Nikolai Kulumin, Totonto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburg Penguins (NHL)
Aleksei Morozov, Ak Bars (KHL)
Aleksandr Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Aleksandr Radulov, Salavat (KHL)
Oleg Saprykin, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
Aleksandr Semin, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Aleksander Semin, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Aleksei Tereschenko, Ak Bars (KHL)
Sergei Fedorov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Aleksandr Frolov, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

  SWEDEN
In late July, Bengt-Åke Gustavsson nominated 34 candidates to Tre Kronor's olympic rosters. The list includes 10 players from the team that won the Olympics in 2006. Interestingly, when the roster was announced, there were no players from the European top leagues, incl. KHL and Elitserien. This has changed since P. J. Axelsson and Joel Lundqvist have transferred back to Sweden with HC Frölunda. It is, however, likely that Tre Kronor's final roster will include a few players from Elitserien and KHL, not yet included on the list. At the this point in time, there are no time-schedule for the first Swedish Olympic camp.

Goaltenders
Jhonas Enroth, Portland Pirates (AHL)
Erik Ersberg, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Jonas Gustavsson, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Daniel Larsson, Grand Rapids (AHL)

Defense
Alexander Edler, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Tobias Enström, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Jonathan Ericsson, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Jonas Frögren, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Niklas Grossman, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Carl Gunnarsson, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Nicklas Lidström, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Douglas Murray, San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Johnny Oduya, New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Mattias Öhlund, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Anton Strålman, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Forwards
Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
P. J. Axelsson, HC Frölunda
Fabian Brunnström, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Thomas Holmström, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Kristian Huselius, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Patric Hörnqvist, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Joel Lundqvist, HC Frölunda
Fredrik Modin, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Robert Nilsson, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Samuel Påhlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Alexander Steen, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Rickard Wallin, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Tom Wandell, Texas Stars (AHL)
Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

  CANADA

In early July 2009, Team Canada's executive director, Steve Yzerman nominated 46 candidates for Canada's Olympic roster. The first orientation camp will take place 24-27 August in Calgary. There are few surprises on the list which include

Goaltenders
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Marc Andre Fleury, Pittsburg Penguins (NHL)
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

Defense
Francois Beauchemin, (without club)
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Dan Boyle, San Jose (NHL)
Brent Burns, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Mike Green, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Dan Hamhuis, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dian Phaneuf, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Robyn Regehr,  Calgary Flames (NHL)
Stephane Robidas, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Marc Staal, NY Rangers (NHL)
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators (NHL)

Forwards
Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Dan Cleary, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Patrick Marleau, San Jose (NHL)
Andy McDonald, St. Louis (NHL)
Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Derek Roy, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche (NHL) *retired*
Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Joe  Thornton, San Jose (NHL)
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL

  FINLAND

Head coach, Jukka Jalonen has nominated no less than 48 players, incl. six goaltenders, 17 defensemen and 25 forwards. The first Finnish orientation camp takes place in early August 2009

Goaltenders
Nicklas Bäckström, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Mikke Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Antero Nittymäki, Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Vesa Toskala, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Defense
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Joni Pitkänen, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Sami Salo, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Toni Lydman, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Teemu Aalto, Linköping (SWE)
Ossi Väänänen, Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
Anssi Salmela, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Sami Lepistö, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Lasse Kukkonen, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
Mikko Lehtonen, Frölunda (SWE)
Petteri Nummelin, HC Lugano (SUI)
Mikko Jokela, Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
Olli Malmivaara, JYP
Janne Niskala, Frölunda (SWE)
Jyrki Välivaara, JYP
Topi Jaakola, Södertälje (SWE)
Markus Seikola, Ilves

Forwards
Mikko Koivu,  Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Tuomo Ruutu, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Teemu Selänne, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Niklas Hagman, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Valtteri Filppula, Detroit Red Wings
Ville Peltonen, Dynamo Minsk (KHL)
Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars  (NHL)
Jussi Jokinen, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Sean Bergenheim, NY Islanders (NHL)
Jarkko Ruutu, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Lauri Korpikoski, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Ville Leino, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Antti Pihlström, Färjestads BK (SWE)
Petteri Nokelainen, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Oskar Osala, Washington Capitals, (NHL)
Niko Kapanen, Ak Bars (KHL)
Petri Kontriola, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Riku Hahl, Frölunda (SWE)
Mika Pyörälä, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Sami Kapanen, KalPa
Janne Pesonen, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)

  SLOVAKIA

Jan Filc, Slovakia's head coach, has nominated 36 players, of which half are NHL'ers, and 8 are KHL'ers. The preliminary roster includes two players from the domestic league, namely Žigmund Pálffy and Tomáš Tatar. Slovakia's first olympic camp opens 3 August 2009 in the Tatra mountains. The activities will include gym, mountain biking, tennis, golf, and as the highlight, a charity exhibition game vs  HC Kosice on 7 August. 

Goaltenders
Jaroslav Halák, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Jaroslav Janus (without club)
Ján Lašák (without club)

Defense
Zdeno Chára, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Ľubomír Višňovský, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Andrej Meszároš, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Andrej Sekera, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Milan Milan Jurčina, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Richard Lintner, (without club)
Jaroslav Obšut, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
Peter Smrek, Severstal (KHL)
Ivan Baranka, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
Boris Valábik, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Vladimír Mihálik, Tampa Bay (NHL)

Forwards
Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Marcel Hossa, (without club)
Marián Gáborík, NY Rangers (NHL)
Pavol Demitra, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Miroslav Šatan (without club)
Michal Handzuš, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Tomáš Kopecký, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Marek Svatoš, Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Jozef Stümpel, Barys Astana (KHL)
Žigmund Pálffy, HK36 Skalica
Ľuboš Bartečko, SC Bern (SUI)
Branko Radivojevič, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
Martin Cibák, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
Štefan Ružička, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
Richard Zedník, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Juraj Kolník, Geneve-Servette (SUI)
Peter Sejna (ZSC Lions, SUI)
Juraj Mikúš, Los Angels Kings (NHL)
Ladislav Nagy, (without club)
Tomáš Tatar, Hkm Zvolen
Peter Ölvecký, Nashville Predators (NHL)

  USA
Team USA will hold its first orientation camp 17-18 August 2009 in Woodridge, Ill. Brian Burke, the general manager, has nominated 34 players for the roster:

Goaltenders
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins (NHL)

Defense
Tom Gilbert, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Tim Gleason, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Ron Hainsey, St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Jack Johnson, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Mike Komisarek, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Paul Martin, New Jersey (NHL)
Brooks Orpik, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Brian Rafalski, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Rob Scuderi, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Ryan Whitney, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

Forwards
David Backes, St. Louis Blues (NHL)
David Booth, Florida Panthers (NHL)
Duston Brown, Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Dustin Byfuglien, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Ryan Callahan, NY Rangers (NHL)
Chris Drury, NY Rangers (NHL)
Scott Gomez, NY Rangers (NHL)
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackwhawks (NHL)
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Phil Kessel, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Ryan Malone, Tampa Bay (NHL)
Kyle Okposo, NY Islanders (NHL)
T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Joe Pavelski, San Jose (NHL)
Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche (NHL)

  GERMANY

Germany's first olympic camp took place at Füssen, 20-24 July 2009. 32 players participated in the camp. the camp did not include a number of players we should expect to participate in the Olympics. These players include Germany's NHL'ers: Jochen Hecht, Christian Ehrhoff, Marco Sturm, Marcel Goc,  and Christoph schubert

Goaltenders
Dennis Endras, Augsburger Panther
Dmitri Pätzold, ERC Ingostadt
Jochen Reimer, Wolfsburg
Sebastian Stefaniszin, Iserlohn Roosters
Youri  Ziffzer, Hannover Scorpions

Defense
Michael Bakos, ERC Ingolstadt
Jens Baxmann, Eisbären Berlin
Nikolai Goc, Hannover Scorpions
Frank Hördler, Eisbären Berlin
Korbinian Holzer, DEG Metro Stars
Justin Krueger, Cornell University (NCAA)
Moritz Müller, Kölner Haie
Sebastian Osterloh, Frankfurt Lions
Andre Reiss, Hannover Scorpions
Denis Reul, Adler Mannheim
Benedik Schopper, Krefeld Pinguine
Steffen Tölzer, Augsburger Panther

Forwards
Alexander Barta, Hamburg Freezers
Contantin Braun, Eisbären Berlin
Michael Hackert, Adler Mannheim
Kai Hospelt, Wolfsburg
Marcus Kink, Adler Mannheim
Manuel Klinge, Kassel Huskies
Frank Mauer, Adler Mannheim
Ulrich Maurer, Augsburger Panther
Marcel Müller, Kölner Haie
Thomas Oppenheimer, Frankfurt Lions
Elia Ostwald, Hamburg Freezers
Andre Rankel, Eisbären Berlin
Yannic Seidenberg, Adler Mannheim
Alexander Weiss, Eisbären Berlin
Michael Wolf, Iserlohn Roosters