Team USA hockey announced its 48-man roster on “Olympic Monday.” Other hockey powerhouses such as Hockey Canada and Russia released their camp rosters, as well. The U.S. will have to choose from one of, if not it’s deepest talent pool ever. The roster, listed below, consists of 6 goaltenders, 18 defensemen, and 24 forwards.
Goaltenders: Craig Anderson (Ottawa), John Gibson (Anaheim), Jimmy Howard (Detroit), Ryan Miller (Buffalo), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles), Cory Schneider (New Jersey)
Defensemen: Zach Bogosian (Winnipeg), Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg), John Carlson (Washington), Dan DeKeyser (Detroit), Justin Faulk (Carolina), Cam Fowler (Anaheim), Jake Gardiner (Toronto), Erik Johnson (Colorado), Jack Johnson (Columbus), Seth Jones (Nashville), Nick Leddy (Chicago), Paul Martin (Pittsburgh), Ryan McDonagh (New York Rangers), Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh), Kevin Shattenkirk (St. Louis), Ryan Suter (Minnesota), Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg), Keith Yandle (Phoenix)
Forwards: Justin Abdelkader (Detroit), David Backes (St. Louis), Beau Bennett (Pittsburgh), Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Brown (Los Angeles), Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers), Alex Galchenyuk (Montreal), Patrick Kane (Chicago), Ryan Kesler (Vancouver), Phil Kessel (Toronto), Trevor Lewis (Los Angeles), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders), T.J. Oshie (St. Louis), Max Pacioretty (Montreal) , Kyle Palmieri (Anaheim), Zach Parise (Minnesota), Joe Pavelski (San Jose), Bobby Ryan (Ottawa), Brandon Saad (Chicago), Craig Smith (Nashville), Paul Stastny (Colorado), Derek Stepan (New York Rangers), James van Riemsdyk (Toronto), Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg)
16 players in camp played for the silver medal 2010 team. The camp roster also includes three players who are still eligible for the World Junior Championships in John Gibson, Jake Trouba, and Seth Jones. Throw in youngsters like Saad and Galchenyuk, and the U.S. has a bright future in Olympic play if the NHL allows it.
Goaltending is a major strength for the stars and stripes, and it is very possible the 2010 starter Ryan Miller could get passed on the depth chart by Anderson and Howard without a strong first half of the NHL season.
The forward group lacks centers. Kesler and Stepan figure to get the most looks in the top six, but are far from locks to center the likes of Kane, Parise, and Kessel. The U.S. could keep pattern from 2010 and keep a fourth line with guys that are more energy/muscle like Abdelkader and Oshie.
Love the defensive depth for Team USA. If Dustin Byfuglien, Erik Johnson, and Paul Martin, all capable of playing two-way hockey, are fighting to be in the third pairing then call coach Dan Bylsma lucky to have to choose. Do not be surprised if Nick Leddy and Justin Faulk get serious looks at reserve roles because of their speed and in Faulk’s case, international play success.
Rosters have to be set at 25 prior to the games, an uptick from 23 in 2010. The orientation camp will take place August 26-27 in Arlington, Va.
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