And the countdown is on...

In less than 24 hours (10AM AT, TSN), Team Canada will take to the ice to play Game 1 of the 8-game Super Series against Team Russia. The hockey season finally begins!

Milan Lucic, a power forward with the Vancouver Giants, is playing in his first international tournament, but that didn't stop head coach Brent Sutter from giving Lucic the "C" to wear on his jersey. Sutter also named the team's alternate captains: Sam Gagner (London Knights), Brandon Sutter (Red Deer Rebels), and Karl Alzner (Calgary Hitmen).

The starting goaltender for Monday's game will be Steve Mason of the London Knights, who had an OHL-record 45 wins in 2006-07.

The atmosphere of the original Summit Series will certainly be missing this time around, but who knows what will happen. Maybe there will be a huge brawl and cause the TV ratings to skyrocket. Whatever the case, this tournament will be the highlight of the careers of a lot of these guys, and they're going to play their hearts out for their countries.