Russian ice hockey players view all teams as strong at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and are not commenting on media speculations about possible Russia vs. Canada final, the head of the Russian Hockey Federation said.

With Russia clinching 2008 and 2009 world titles playing both times in the final games against Canada, many hockey fans and experts hope that the teams will meet again in the final of the 2010 Olympics.

"We are pleased to be predicted for the final, but there are many other candidates," Vladislav Tretyak said at a news conference in Russia House adding that many other teams have equal chances of reaching the final, including the United States, Finland and Sweden.

Russia's legendary hockey goalie Tretyak, a three-time Olympic champion and 10-time world champion, said the Russian players are currently seriously focusing on the first game against Latvia, as there are no weak opponents at the Olympics.

"The first game is always exciting no matter who you play against. The boys are set for a difficult game. There are no weak opponents and there will be a lot of surprises," he said.

The Russian 2010 national Olympic team, which includes 14 players from the National Hockey League (NHL) and nine from the Continental Hockey League (KHL), will play its first game of the tournament against Latvia on February 16.

The Russian squad is led again by Coach Vyacheslav Bykov, who is already being talked of as a coaching great.

VANCOUVER, February 14 (RIA Novosti)