| Not really racist! | 06-30-2009 03:48 PM |
sayy wutt Quote:
The United States will have plenty of experience and youth to evaluate when it holds its Olympic men's hockey orientation camp next month.
And at least one player — Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler — might get the opportunity to play in front of his "home" crowd come February at the Winter Games.
USA Hockey announced Tuesday that five players with Olympic experience are among the 34 players who'll attend its camp, which will be held Aug. 17-19 in Woodridge, Ill.
Among the players invited to the camp are three-time Olympian Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars and two-time Olympians Chris Drury of the New York Rangers and Brian Rafalski of the Detroit Red Wings. Rangers' forward Scott Gomez and New Jersey forward Jamie Langenbrunner have competed in one Olympic Games each.
Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, who was named the National Hockey League's top goaltender this past season, along with Buffalo's Ryan Miller and Los Angeles Kings' Jonathan Quick were the three stoppers named to the camp, which U.S. general manager Brian Burke and his staff will use to build the American entry for the Games, which are slated for Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver.
Only three players named Tuesday play with Canadian NHL teams — in addition to Kesler, there are Edmonton Oilers defenceman Tom Gilbert and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek, who becomes an unrestricted NHL free agent on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Kesler new career highs in goals (26), assists (33) and points (59) while playing in all 82 regular season games for the Canucks last NHL season. Appointed as an alternate captain for the Canucks at the beginning of the season, Kesler went on to be named a league finalist for the Frank Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward.
New Jersey forward Zach Parise, who led American NHL players in scoring this past season with 45 goals and 94 points, is joined by former No. 1 overall draft picks Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues defenceman Erik Johnson.
2009 U.S. Olympic men's orientation camp roster
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings), Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins).
Defencemen: Tom Gilbert (Edmonton Oilers), Tim Gleason (Carolina Hurricanes), Ron Hainsey (Atlanta Thrashers), Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles Kings), Mike Komisarek (Montreal Canadiens), Paul Martin (New Jersey Devils), Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Rob Scuderi (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators), Ryan Whitney (Anaheim Ducks).
Forwards: David Backes (St. Louis Blues), David Booth (Florida Panthers), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings), Dustin Byfuglien (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers), Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Scott Gomez (New York Rangers), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks), Phil Kessel (Boston Bruins), Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils), Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay Lightning), Mike Modano (Dallas Stars), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders), T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues), Zach Parise (New Jersey Devils), Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks), Bobby Ryan (Anaheim Ducks), Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche).
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