Canada's National Team: The contenders
The Oilers aren't the only worthy competitor for the title of National Team
1972 Team Canada: While younger readers may better associate themselves with the 2010 or 2002 Olympic gold-medal teams, or even the Wayne Gretzky-led Canada Cup champions of 1987, the ’72 squad is the granddaddy of them all. Paul Henderson’s Summit Series-clinching goal not only struck a blow for Canadian hockey against the might of the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, but for all of Canada. Even now, 38 years later, it remains a huge source of national pride, as witnessed by the $1.275-million that Henderson’s sweater fetched at auction last month. Paul AttfieldPeter Bregg
1993 Toronto Blue Jays: Though the Jays now stand alone as the sole Canadian entry in that most American of sports – following the demise of the Montreal Expos – Canada’s love affair with baseball was never higher than in 1993. Joe Carter’s ninth-inning walk-off home run not only put the finishing touches on a second straight World Series, it sealed the deal on Canadian soil for the first time, setting off an outpouring of emotion throughout the nation. Paul AttfieldCARLO ALLEGRI
Montreal Canadiens: Unlike the blue-and-white braggarts to the west, the NHL’s oldest team is more in keeping with Canadian sensibilities, emphasizing big deeds over big talk, with a record 24 Stanley Cups in 101 years of existence. True, their current drought stands at 17 years and counting, but it’s worth remembering that no other Canadian team has entered the winner’s circle since 1993, either. Paul AttfieldFrank Gunn
Saskatchewan Roughriders: For the lovable losers from the Prairies, it’s most definitely the taking part, and not the winning, that counts. With just three Grey Cups in the team’s 100-year history, the Riders may be short on success, but the fans don’t let that spoil the party. Roughly one in five Canadians are said to follow the green and white, though wearing a hollowed-out watermelon on your head remains strictly optional. Paul AttfieldTODD KOROL
Edmonton Oilers: Hayley Wickenheiser's pick for Canada's true national team - she asks: 'How could the Oilers not be the most iconic sports team when they have produced the most iconic players of the game? Just to name a few: Coffey, Anderson, Lowe, Fuhr, Messier and, of course, Gretzky. Most of their names are instantly recognizable whether or not you are a hockey fan.'