look who's on the list....
from www.thestar.ca SPORTS
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Here's a look at the likely contenders as chosen by theStar's sports department:
Joey Votto — First baseman for Cincinnati Reds, was voted by fans to 2010 All-Star game. Led team into post-season, led the majors in base percentage, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging and won NL MVP.
Tammy Sutton-Brown — WNBA player who plays for Indiana Fever. She made the All-Star team in 2002. In high school, she led her school, Markham District High School, to regional championship four years consecutively.
Sidney Crosby — Scored the winning goal in Canada’s gold-medal winning victory in Vancouver Olympics. Tied for lead in goals scored and was second in scoring during NHL regular season.
Alexandre Bilodeau — Gold medalist in freestyle skiing in men’s moguls at 2010 Olympics. He is the first Canadian to win gold at Games held in Canada.
Maelle Ricker — Gold medalist in snowboarding in snowboard cross at 2010 Olympics. She is the first Canadian woman to win Olympic gold at home.
Jonathan Toews — Captain of Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks and winner of Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP. Leading scorer for Team Canada in gold medal run and named Best Forward in Olympic tournament.
Christine Nesbitt — Gold medalist in speed skating in 1000m event at 2010 Olympics. Despite her injuries incurred from a car accident last summer, Nesbitt has qualified for the World Cup in speed skating this winter.
Jon Montgomery — Gold medalist in men’s skeleton event at 2010 Olympics. He is a vocal supporter of “Right to Play,” a charity that provides underprivileged kids with opportunities to learn through sport and play.
Ashleigh MacIvor — Gold medalist in freestyle skiing in ski cross at 2010 Olympics and reigning world champion, she was the youngest skier to enter the World Cup circuit at age 20.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — Gold medalists in figure skating for ice dance at 2010 Olympics, this skating duo are reigning world champions. They are also the first ice dancers to win gold on Olympic debut.
Charles Hamelin — Two-time gold medalist in short track speed skating for 500m and 5000m relay events at the 2010 Olympics. He won silver in 2006 Olympics and has been named world champion several times since 2005.
Clara Hughes — She won six medals over four Olympic Games, most recently a bronze in speed skating for 5000m event at 2010 Olympics. She ties with Cindy Klassen for Canadian athlete with most medals. Unlike Klassen, Hughes has won medals in both winter and summer games.
Joannie Rochette — Bronze medalist in figure skating at 2010 Olympics. She won praise for her determination after choosing to perform and performing successfully days after her mother’s death.
Kristina Groves — Silver and bronze medalist at 2010 Olympics (for 1500m speed skating and 3000m speed skating), she won two silvers for 1,500m and team pursuit speed skating events in Turin 2006.
Jasey Jay Anderson — Canadian snowboarder who won gold medal in parallel giant slalom at 2010 Olympics. He is four-time World Champion and has won four straight World Cup titles.
Lauren Woolstencroft — Alpine skier who has competed in Paralympic Games since 2002, she has won 10 medals (eight golds) for various alpine skiing events.
Brent Hayden — Two-time gold medalist in swimming (50m freestyle and 100 m freestyle) at 2010 Commonwealth Games. He set a record in the 100m freestyle event and broke it again during the individual final.
Ryan Cochrane — Two-time gold medalist in swimming (400m freestyle and 1500m freestyle) at 2010 Commonwealth Games. At only 21, he was the first Canadian in 72 years to win the 400m event.
Jennifer Abel — Gold and silver medalist in diving (1m and 3m springboard) at 2010 Commonwealth Games. Only 19 years old, she has been winning medals on the world stage since 2006.
Alexandre Despatie — Three-time gold medalist in diving (1m and 3m springboard, and shared with Reuben Ross for synchronized 3m springboard) at 2010 Commonwealth Games. He is the only diver to be world champion in those three categories.
Marie-Pier Boudrou Gagnon — Two-time gold medalist in aquatics for women’s solo and women’s duet (shared with Chloe Isaac) at 2010 Commonwealth Games. She won bronze twice at world championships last year (solo technical routine and free routine combination).
Dwayne De Rosario — Attacking midfielder for Toronto FC and club captain of Canadian national team. He wrapped up this season with 15 goals – a club best.
Christine Sinclair — Soccer forward with FC Gold Pride and captain of Canadian National Team. She has scored the most goals of any woman for national team.
Steve Nash — Two-time NBA MVP and a previous Lou Marsh winner (2005). He is involved in charitable work, notably his own foundation, which serves kids whose basic needs are being not met.
Georges St-Pierre — A UFC mixed martial artist. He is the current Welterweight world champion.
Paula Findlay — Triathlete who won World Championship two years in a row.
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep — Hurdler in track and field who is ranked No. 1 internationally in women’s 100m event. In 2008 Olympics, she won bronze for 100m.