Hasek out for Olympics…

Per CTV:

The Dominator won’t be representing his country in Vancouver.

One day ahead of the Czech Republic men’s hockey team announcement, head coach Vladimir Ruzicka told CTVOlympics.ca that veteran goaltender Dominik Hasek, who led the country to Olympic gold in 1998, will not be on the roster.

“Dominik won’t make the team,” Ruzicka said in an interview via email. “We have other candidates for the goaltending job in the NHL.

“Since I’ve been asked about our goaltenders, I affirmed that Tomas Vokoun will be Czech’s No.1 (goalie) for the Olympics.”

It was Vokoun of the Florida Panthers who led the country to a bronze medal at the 2006 Games after Hasek injured his right adductor muscle. The country’s starting goalie, Hasek played only 9:25 before he was injured in Torino.

A six-time Vezina trophy winner, Hasek retired from the NHL in 2008 with the Detroit Red Wings after winning the second Stanley Cup of his career, although it was Chris Osgood who started for that championship team.

After a year off, the 44-year-old returned to hockey with a Czech league, hoping to work himself into shape to play at the Olympics. In October, Hasek’s comeback was dealt a blow when he injured his thigh, and he said at the time his chances of playing at the Games were “quite low” as a result of the injury.

The two-time Hart Trophy winner was one of eight goalies nominated by Czech hockey officials as potential candidates for the 2010 team.

Ruzicka and Hasek were teammates on the 1998 Olympic gold medal team. Hasek allowed only six goals during the tournament.