I am happy to be part of a great hockey community. Vancouver has passionate fans." 2010 OLYMPICS (Vancouver, 2/16 - 2/28) Malone fits the Olympic mold of GM Burke Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer Ryan Malone is the kind of Olympian GM Brian Burke likes. READ MORE › RELATED STORIES: Finlands Lehtinen knows the Olympic score Currently injured players on Olympic rosters BLOG: The Road to Vancouver ALL 2010 OLYMPICS STORIES › | OFFICIAL ROSTERS › Ehrhoff now will have an unexpected cheering section during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Playing for Germany for the third time in Olympic competition, Vancouvers hockey fans will root their adopted son along. Drafted by San Jose in the fourth round of the 2001 Entry Draft (No. 106), the young Ehrhoff resembled a thoroughbred with unbridled raw talent. He was nurtured within the Sharks system, first with their AHL affiliate in Cleveland and then earning his way on the San Jose blue line by virtue of his speed, booming shot and improved defensive play. Ehrhoff played 341 regular-season games with the Sharks, totaling 25 goals and 107 assists. In 38 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he added 15 points (2-13-15), and last season led the team in average ice time during the playoffs (24:47). He finished the 2008-09 season with career highs in assists (34) and points (42), and tied for 23rd among NHL defensemen in points. While offense always has been his calling card, Ehrhoff won the respect of his San Jose teammates and coaches by doing the dirty work -- blocking shots and playing through injuries. Ehrhoff has brought those same qualities to Vancouver. "He has performed as advertised and has been very consistent for us all year both offensively and defensively," Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa said. "I played against Christian for a number of years, going all the way back to the miinors during the lockout season (2004-05). Steelers Hines Ward Jersey I have always known that he is a good skater with a good shot and moves the puck very well. He also has an excellent work ethic." The 27-year-old native of Moers, Germany, a town near the city of Dusseldorf, Ehrhoff is on pace to establish new personal offensive marks as he leads the attack from the Canucks back end. "Like any player coming into a new environment it took a little while during training camp for Christian to get to know his teammates," Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. "We had a lot of talks with him regarding our expectations and the offensive element that he brings as far as carrying the puck out of the defensive zone on breakouts. But Id have to say that after the first couple of weeks of training camp he has been one of our most consistent defensemen at both ends of the rink. He has been playing real well and has been a real positive addition to our team." "I think my strengths are my skating, my shot and I am a two-way defenseman so I can play in both offensive and defensive situations," Ehrhoff said. "I want to work on all aspects of my game. I dont want to be satisfied with where I am so I am trying to work on all aspects and become a better player". "I thought he was good before in San Jose," teammate Mikael Samuelsson said. "He was a good defenseman and thats why he is here. Christian is playing good every game. He is a solid all-round player, a really good skater and puts a lot of pucks to the net. He is a steady defenseman." Ehrhoff was well-schooled in the San Jose system, where he learned the game is not just about being fast, but also about playing with pace. He is moving his game to the next level in Vancouver. "Christian skates so well, moves the puck and has a great shot. He has so many different assets to his game that make him such an effective player. He has been a huge contributor for us and we are going to need him to continue that so we can become the team we want to be." -- Ehroffs teammate Ryan Johnson "Yes he is," said teammate Ryan Johnson. "Christian skates so well, moves the puck and has a great shot. He has so many different assets to his game that make him such an effective player. He has been a huge contributor for us and we are going to need him to continue