Sources: 19-Year-Old Zach Bogosian Enters US Olympic Picture

Zach Bogosian, the 19-year-old defenseman from the Atlanta Thrashers, has emerged as a serious candidate for the United States Olympic Team, a pair of sources have told FanHouse.

The 19-year-old Bogosian, a native of northern New York, has developed into a superb two-way defenseman with shocking ease, with just 64 NHL games under his belt. The third overall pick from 2008 already has eight goals this season, tops among NHL defensemen. He would be a natural for the up-tempo system Team USA coach Ron Wilson plans to install for the Olympics in Vancouver in February.

The biggest roadblocks, of course, are Bogosian's youth and lack of big-game experience. However, he has displayed great maturity in his season and a quarter with Atlanta. His poise while leading the Thrashers' blue line proves little fazes him.

In addition, the 6-3 defenseman figures to be a part of many Olympiads to come -- if the NHL continues to make its world-class players available for the Winter Games. Since USA general manager Brian Burke is leaning towards taking eight defenseman, Bogosian could make the roster as both a worthy player and a prospect who'll gain invaluable experience for future Olympics.

This season Bogosian is 8-2-10 in 18 games for the Thrashers. The teenager is leading all Atlanta skaters with 23:30 per game in average ice-time. In the Thrashers' 4-3 shootout loss to Boston on Thursday, Bogosian played a team-high 29:13 despite getting less than a minute on the power play. (Ilya Kovalchuk, who played 9:52 on the power play, takes up most of the time as the right-hand shot on the point).

While Bogosian seems to get better with each week of NHL experience, another factor in his favor is that few American defensemen are slam-dunk candidates while others -- including Paul Martin, Mike Komisarek and Brooks Orpik -- have suffered injuries this season.

Veterans with roster spots likely locked up are New Jersey's Martin and Brian Rafalski of Detroit. Nashville's Ryan Suter has an excellent chance, and youngsters Erik Johnson of St. Louis and Jack Johnson of the Kings are in the mix. Other contenders include Ryan Whitney, Matt Carle, Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi.

Like Bogosian, Alex Goligoski wasn't invited to Team USA's orientation camp in August but is having an outstanding season for Pittsburgh. As Burke's committee -- including Thrashers GM Don Waddell -- keeps an eye on Bogosian they will also watch his defense partner. Ron Hainsey is playing the best hockey of his career and merits consideration for the Olympic team.

Team USA will announce its final roster on Jan. 1 during the festivities at the Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston.