Rob SHORT (Canada)

Rob Short - Canada 
Date of Birth:  11 August 1972 (36)
Position: Midfielder

Despite celebrating his 36^th birthday during the tournament – making him the oldest hockey participant at the 2008 Games – Rob Short is as influential on field as ever. He is regarded by many as the finest field hockey player that Canada has ever produced, and is a much respected figure both within the Canadian team and among the hockey community as a whole.

The midfield playmaker now has well over 270 caps for his country, and currently plays his club hockey in The Netherlands for Laren after lengthy spells with HGC and HC Rotterdam.

”Shorty” burst onto the international scene at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata. There he helped the team to finish in second place and has been a fixture in the Canadian team ever since.

According to the Canadian Olympic Committee website, Short originally dreamed of becoming an ice hockey player, but his parents wanted him to play soccer. Eventually, a compromise was found in hockey, a sport which he quickly excelled in.

Along with six other members of the current Canadian squad, he represented his country at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Arguably Short’s finest moment came last year at the Pan American Games, when he led his side to victory over massive favourites Argentina on penalties, securing both the title and qualification to Beijing 2008.

The 2008 Games will surely be his Olympic swansong and this gifted athlete will be looking to go out on a high.