"He wanted to win.

He wanted to contend for the Stanley Cup.

So the fact that Jay Bouwmeester is now part of one of the strongest bluelines in the National Hockey League and will play alongside two other potential members of Team Canada's 2010 defence with the Calgary Flames — Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr — is just a bonus.

But he's not about to start complaining.

"I guess making the decision (to leave Florida), that really wasn't the first thing on your mind," said Bouwmeester. "You make these decisions as a long-term thing.

"Obviously, here the Flames have a pretty good team. And usually, when the team is successful that kind of reflects on everyone else. If that's the case, that's great."

Much has been made of the Flames' strength on the back end since Bouwmeester agreed to avoid unrestricted free agency and sign a five-year deal with Calgary that will pay him an average of $6.7 million US per season.

And while Team Canada brass have plenty of blueliners to choose from — 16 will attend next week's Olympic orientation camp at the Pengrowth Saddledome — the likelihood that Bouwmeester, Phaneuf and Regehr will spend at least some of the regular season playing together can only help them and those trying to evaluate which players could potentially have some chemistry.

"I think it's great for the Calgary Flames," said Regehr. "If we are playing with one another it would give the coaches and management (a chance) to evaluate us a little easier.

"I think we have a very good defence and I think we have a very good team."

Bouwmeester, an Edmonton native, spent his summer in the Alberta capital, just like he does every year. Still, the Olympics and the prospect of starting the year on a contender after four seasons of struggle in Florida has been at the forefront of his mind.

"There are things, obviously, with the move (from Florida). You have to find a place to live. Other than that it's kind of similar (to previous years)," said Bouwmeester. "But I'm excited because (the trade to Calgary) is something new and with the Olympics and all that — if you get the chance to play — that would be pretty amazing.

"It's probably the only one you will ever have a chance to be a part of (on home soil). It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.""