2009 is the first time France have made a consecutive start in the elite division since 2000 when they ended a run of 9 appearances in the top flight. But France must try and survive with a younger team this year.
For most of this decade, Bonnard, Bordeleau, Coqueux and Desrosiers have been fundamental parts of the French team. While, admittedly, France have been entrenched in Division 1 for long periods of that time, they were still a part of the team that beat Italy in their two-game relegation decider in 2008. But, France must now try and consolidate their position as an elite division nation with a much younger team with their absence, along with Simon Lacroix and Cristobal Huet.
But, there is still much to be hopeful for the French. Their top goal scorer from 12 months ago, Yorick Treille, returns as does their 2nd top points scorer, Baptiste Amar. And with Pierre Edouard Bellemare, Sacha Treille and Kevin Hecquefeuille having good seasons in Sweden, there is perhaps a suggestion that goals may be even easier to find this year.
But it is perhaps at the other end of the ice that concerns need to be raised. There can be no doubt that Cristobal Huet disguised a lot of frailties in the French defence. In those relegation games against Italy, the French were quite badly outshot. But, Huet only let in 6 goals from 87 shots. At the end of the tournament, Huet had the 6th best save percentage despite playing in a team that finished 14th. The last time that Fabrice Lhenry played at this level, he was 17th.
France play in the only preliminary group that has only one of the Elite 7 nations, Russia. But, even Germany and Switzerland are likely to be beyond the French in the early stages. With a likely return to the relegation round, they will perhaps find this year's more traditional format harder. Last year, they only had to play a 2-leg tie against one team and were fortunate to get Italy rather than Slovakia. This year, they will have to beat 2 teams in that final group. While they will likely have ambitions against Hungary, the other two groups are likely to throw up harder opposition for them.
But, if France do survive for another year, they will be happy in the knowledge that it was with a young, developing team as they try and match their 1990s run of 9 consecutive tournaments.
Goaltenders
01. Eddy Ferhi, Grenoble
42. Fabrice Lhenry, Esbjerg
Defence
03. Vincent Bachet, Amiens
16. Benoit Quessandier, Epinal
27. Baptiste Amar, Grenoble
29. Mathieu Mille, Morzine-Avoriaz
38. Thomas Roussell, Amiens
44. Antonin Manavian, Grenoble
71. Kevin Igier, Angers
Forwards
07. Yorick Treille, Ostrava (CZE)
10. Laurent Meunier, Fribourg (SWI)
11. Francois Rozenthal, Morzine-Avoriaz
13. Jonathan Zwikel, Morzine-Avoriaz
14. Stephane da Costa, Sioux City (USA)
18. Luc Tardif, Morzine-Avoriaz
20. Damien Raux, Briancon
26. Anthoine Lussier, La Chaux-de-Fonds (SWI)
28. Laurent Gras, Morzine-Avoriaz
41. Pierre Edouard Bellemare, Leksands (SWE)
77. Sacha Treille, Farjestads (SWE)
84. Kevin Hecquefeuille, Nybro (SWE)
86. Damien Fleury, Grenoble
Head Coach: David Henderson |
