NHL FanHouse

Forgotten Miracle: The Story of the 1960 US Olympic Hockey Team

Adam Gretz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

You probably won't get much of an argument if you were to name the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team's victory over the Soviet Union at Lake Placid as the most iconic moment in American sports history.

Twenty years before that team's improbable run to the Gold Medal, another U.S. team was pulling off a stunning upset upset of its own at the Sqauw Valley games, as a group of college kids led by head coach Jack Riley claimed the American's first gold medal in Olympic hockey history. A new DVD tilted Forgotten Miracle is set to be released to mark the 40th anniversary of their victory and tell their story.

You can pre-oder the DVD by clicking here, and you can check out the trailer after the jump.

Forgotten Miracle Trailer from Forgotten Miracle on Vimeo.

The 1960 team finished the tournament with a perfect 7-0 record and outscored the opposition by a 48-17 margin, winning the gold over the heavily favored squads from Canada, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union.

The Roster

Goalies: Jack McCartan, Larry Palmer
Defensemen: Jack Kirrane, John Mayasich, Robert Owen, Rod Paavola
Forwards: Bob McVey, Paul Johnson, Tomy Williams, Dick Rodenhiser, Dick Meredith, Weldy Olson, Bill Cleary, Bob Cleary, Roger Christian, Billy Christian, Gene Grazia.

Forgotten Miracle: The Story of the 1960 US Olympic Hockey Team originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics

Susan Slusser — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Among the United States' best hopes for a medal in Vancouver next February is the women's ice hockey team, which has won one of the three gold medals awarded in the sport's brief Olympic history. Host Canada has won the other two, and the United States and Canada will clash in the final tournament before Vancouver 2010 in the Four Nations Cup, which opens today in Finland.

The U.S. is the defending champion in the event, beating Canada 3-2 in the finals last year. The American women have won either gold or silver in the Four Nations Cup every year in which the U.S. has participated, as has Canada.

Three-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero -- who once worried that the sport might lose its Olympic spot for perceived lack of competition -- said that the gap between the top two teams and Sweden and Finland, the two other squads in the Four Nations, is not that great any longer. She pointed out that Finland topped the U.S. 3-2 two months ago, and that last year, Sweden downed Canada for the first time in overtime.

"They're both capable of beating the U.S. and Canada," Ruggiero told FanHouse by phone. "They're kind of on the brink of breaking into the upper echelon."

China is rapidly improving, and Ruggiero believes Germany would have fielded a strong squad except for injuries that kept the team from qualifying.

Still, the Olympics are likely to boil down to the sport's dominant duo, and the United States has been preparing furiously. Ruggiero worked out at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., with some NHL players, like Chris Drury of the Rangers, Richard Park of the Islanders and George Parros of the Ducks, as well as a number of European players

Ruggiero, who will be 30 when the Olympics open, follows the Mark Verstegen workout program as well as yoga, and, she said, "It doesn't matter how old you are, you can still get better. And I feel great."

She also likes the way the U.S. team is shaping up under head coach Mark Johnson.

Johnson is the women's coach at Wisconsin, where his teams have won three NCAA titles in six years, but he might be best known as the leading scorer for the "Miracle on Ice" team - so perhaps it's not so surprising that Ruggiero calls him "very offensive-minded."

Ruggiero, a defenseman, enjoys the aggressive style that Johnson likes to employ. "It's about getting to the net, crashing the net and being able to capitalize on that," she said.

That will be a different look for the U.S. when they take on Canada on Saturday. Plus, the United States is very young and "extremely fast," Ruggiero said, describing the squad as skill-and-speed based.

Some things still need fine-tuning, such as specialty teams and back-checking. There are only six returning Olympians, but most of the other players joined the team in 2007, so there is cohesion and team chemistry even if, as Ruggiero noted, most viewers might not know the names.

Players to look out for include three 20-year-olds, forwards Hilary Knight (from the University of Wisconsin) and the Lamoureux twins, Jocelyne and Monique (Minnesota) along with goaltender Jessie Vetter, 23, (Wisconsin).

"She's clearly demonstrated she's a big-time player," Ruggiero said of Vetter. "She's going to be a difference-maker."

And then there's Canada, looming Saturday and in February.

"They're obviously the big rival," Ruggiero said. "We're both starting to ramp it up, and there are going to be four interesting months left."

U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL 10 Cover Boy Patrick Kane Happy For Chance to Move On

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Western, Team USA, FanHouse Exclusive

The renaissance of the Chicago Blackhawks is well-chronicled. After not making the Western Conference Finals once since 1995, Chicago got to the NHL's final four in 2008. A five-game series loss to Detroit ended their magical run, but the pieces are in place for the Blackhawks to again be a perennial contender in the NHL.

One of those key pieces is forward Patrick Kane. After posting over 140 points in his first two NHL seasons, the dynamic youngster graces the cover of EA Sports' NHL 10. Kane spoke with FanHouse about the game, the Blackhawks, and what was a tumultuous summer.

Like many young players, Kane said he grew up playing EA's NHL games, and was a candidate to be on the cover of last year's game, which featured Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. "I'm happy it ended up working out," he said.

"Now that it's out, reality sets in that I'm on the cover. It's pretty cool."

He noted that it was his dad who told him the good news once the deal with EA was worked out. Kane said he was supposed to keep it under wraps, so he didn't tell any of his teammates the news. Word leaked, and Kane had a rather funny story about an exchange with Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

"I was in the locker room," Kane said, "and Toews walks in. He says 'I hear you're on the cover of NHL 10. Why are you on the cover? What about me?'

"It's cool to be on the cover. Great for me, and good for the Blackhawks, too."

This year's offering from EA is rather low on new features, but it builds effectively on a very good game last year. First-person fighting, the ability to start scrums after a whistle (be careful, because starting them is a good way to go shorthanded), a rebuilt franchise mode (Be A GM) and improved crowd animations are among the key features.

In real life, Kane said he feels his team learned a lot during their playoff run last year.

"You figure out what to do (in the playoffs)," Kane said. "Experience goes a long way in the playoffs. At the same time, we're a year older."

Asked what his team has to do to go even farther in the playoffs, Kane did not hesitate.

"Put it all together," he said. "We've got good chemistry off the ice, and on it, too."

There were two pretty controversial stories over the offseason involving the Blackhawks. On July 14, word got out that the team had fired general manager Dale Tallon, who had seen a ton of success since taking over. Former Blackhawk Martin Havlat, who had signed with Minnesota July 1, was openly critical of the move, blaming front office unrest on executive John McDonough.

Then came the morning of Aug. 19, and word that Kane had been arrested for an alleged assault on a cab driver. The case was settled just over a week later, but it wasn't the way for the offseason to end.

Now that it's time to play hockey, Kane couldn't be more excited for the chance to move on.

"It's nice to get everything behind you," Kane said. "You tend to take things for granted, but it's a privilege we all have to play this great game. It was a tough time, but now I get to move forward."

Kane was appreciative of the support he got from many different places, including his locker room.

"I got great support from the Blackhawks, EA, family, friends, everyone. The team has been great, from the front office to the trainers, everybody."

As part of a busy summer, the Buffalo, N.Y., native also had a chance to take part in an evaluation camp for Team USA, as the 2010 Winter Olympics approach. Kane is excited about the opportunity to represent his country.

"I hope it happens, especially with the Games in Vancouver," he said. "Canada came on U.S. soil (in 2002 at Salt Lake City) and took the gold from us. It's not city versus city, it's country versus country, and I think this is the greatest country in the world. It's a great opportunity."

Kane and the Blackhawks head overseas to open the season. They play the Florida Panthers Oct. 2 in Helsinki, Finland. Meanwhile, NHL 10 is available now at stores nationwide.

NHL 10 Cover Boy Patrick Kane Happy For Chance to Move On originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brian Burke Says Team USA Will Play Physical at Olympics

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, Team Canada, Olympic Hockey

USA Hockey knew what it was doing when it named Brian Burke to run the national team. As they try to build the team on the ice into a more serious international contender, Burke will keep them in the headlines. After a relatively silent experience at the IIHF World Championships, where Team USA placed fourth, Burke is back in midseason form.

In Chicago for Team USA's orientation camp in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Burke spoke Tuesday about what fans can expect to see from the Americans. Needless to say, he spoke with brutal honesty, something that fans can equally appreciate and despise.

Knowing full well that the IIHF approved the use of the NHL-size ice surface at the Games, Burke plans to take advantage of the smaller surface.

"There will be some beef on this team; there will be some muscle," he said Monday in his introductory remarks. "Those of you who know me from the N.H.L. know that I like big, physical teams."

... "We'll need some big-body guys, and guys who can win face-offs, block shots - and some bangers," Burke said. "We'll need some beef on the hook among those bottom six forwards."

While it doesn't mean fans should count on seeing guys like Dustin Byfuglien of the Blackhawks or Vancouver's own Ryan Kesler as forwards on the Olympic team, it sure seems like Burke will head in that direction. With his comments, it also seems like a virtual lock that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson will be on this team. While opponents never end up being big fans of Johnson, he's the perfect candidate for a top-four defensive spot on a team put together by Burke. He's physical to no end, and he also has enough skill to be successful in shootouts.

It's a smart move. Team USA would definitely be severely challenged to match the speed and skill of Canada and Russia. In February, FanHouse tried to lay out a potential lineup for the Olympics, and while Kesler did make the cut, it's a group that is otherwise short of physical play.

The NHL has never really been a fan of having its players take part in the Games, so Burke is not likely to win any fans in the league office with his latest remarks. It's nightmarish for the league to even ponder the possibility of Johnson throwing a shoulder into Jarome Iginla in what amounts -- from the league's perspective -- to an exhibition game. Similarly, the league also doesn't want guys treating the Olympics like regular-season games, where it seems every big hit on a star player leads to some sort of retaliation.

Of course, Burke would see this as a perfect situation. The last thing he wants is to see Canadians, Russians, and Swedes skating uninhibited around the ice. He knows his team doesn't have the speed or skill to match them. In fact, Burke has already cast his team as a decided underdog.

"We are going to be a dramatic underdog in Vancouver," he said. "There is not going to be a single cent bet on this team in Las Vegas."

Burke is smart, bombastic, controversial, and a perfect choice to lead Team USA.

Brian Burke Says Team USA Will Play Physical at Olympics originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2009

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Canadiens, Flyers, Penguins, NHL Hall of Fame, Team USA, Olympic Hockey

It's not the more prestigious Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, but the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame has been around since 1973, honoring top American-born hockey players, coaches, and contributors.

The Hall has been through some tough times, as its facility in Eveleth, Minn., was scheduled to close due to low attendance in 2006. The building remains open in Eveleth, and they are still actively inducting new members. The 2009 class features some famous NHL stars, an inventor, and a pioneering group of ladies who changed the face of the sport.

Three players who made their mark in the NHL are part of the Class of 2009. Two of them -- goalie Tom Barrasso and forward John LeClair -- have their names etched on the Stanley Cup. Barrasso was part of the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, and he leads all American-born players with 61 career playoff victories.

LeClair won the Cup in 1993 with Montreal, but may be more famous for his work in Philadelphia. While part of the well-known "Legion of Doom" line, LeClair amassed 50 goals in three straight seasons. He was the first American-born player to accomplish that.

The other NHL star who is part of this year's group is former Blackhawk Tony Amonte, who is perhaps best-known for scoring the game-winning goal during the 1996 World Cup of Hockey final against Canada, a game played in Montreal. In 15 NHL seasons, Amonte totaled 416 goals.

Also in the Class of 2009 is a gentleman who never played the sport, but made an incredible impact on the game nonetheless. Frank Zamboni's name should ring a bell, as that last name adorns ice-resurfacing machines all over the sport. Zamboni and his family developed the first machines of that kind, and eventually brought them to the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. There have been over 8,500 Zambonis produced. Frank Zamboni will be inducted posthumously, as he died in 1988.

The last member of the class is not a single person. Instead, it's an entire team.

In 1998, the United States sent an elite group of women's hockey players to Nagano, Japan, for the Winter Olympics. This team, coached by Ben Smith, blew through its competition, outscoring opponents 36-8 and twice beating rival Canada. The second win over the Canadians came in the gold-medal game. This team was captained by 2008 U.S. Hockey Hall inductee Cammi Granato. It featured star players like Katie King, Jenny Potter, and Karyn Bye (pictured above).

This team didn't just win a gold medal. It paved the way for women's hockey to grow in this country. As more and more colleges pick up the sport, you see girls' hockey growing across the country. When it comes to pioneers in their sport, the 1998 U.S. Olympic team will always have a place on that list.

The Hall has not announced plans for induction ceremonies this year. Last year's ceremony was held in Denver, in conjunction with a Notre Dame-Denver men's college hockey game.

US Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2009 originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrating 4th of July With American Hockey Highlights

Adam Gretz — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Fans, NHL Videos, Team USA

There are many different ways to celebrate the 4th of July holiday: You can cross state lines and purchase hundreds of dollars worth of illegal fireworks. You can stuff your face with food, whether it be for fun or in the name of "competition." You can spend quality time with family and friends. You can combine all of the above and stuff your face with food, in the presence of family and friends, while you dodge the local police and set off hundreds of dollars worth of illegal fireworks.

You can also spend a few minutes and watch a bunch of random videos that feature American-born hockey players.

Enjoy.

Honorable mention (Video that I could not find. If you find it, I'll add it): Joey Mullen becoming the first American-born player to register 500 NHL goal.

Mike Modano's 500th NHL goal.

From: Livonia, Michigan (Population: 100,545).

No American-born player has more NHL goals than Mike Modano's 543. Here he is scoring his 500th career goal on March 13, 2007, against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brian Leetch Game 7 Goal

From: Corpus Christi, Texas (Population: 277,454).

A member of the 2009 Hall of Fame class, Brian Leetch recorded 1,028 points in his NHL career, while he also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1994 as the New York Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought. Here he is scoring the first goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks.

Pat LaFontaine's Top 10 Goals

From: St. Louis, Missouri (Population 354,361)

In a career that was cut short due to injury, Pat LaFontaine scored 468 goals as a member of the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Here are his Top 10 NHL goals, according to TSN.

Mike Eruzione Scores

From: Winthrop, Massachusetts (Population: 18,303)

No introduction needed.

Miracle On Ice

Celebrating 4th of July With American Hockey Highlights originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hockey Hall Opens Doors to Women

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, Olympic Hockey

This is Cammi Granato, possibly the most well-known women's hockey player in United States history.

In October of 2008, she became the first woman inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Denver. Her impact on the sport of hockey in this country cannot be denied. She served as an inspiration for so many girls who are now making a name for themselves in hockey. However, until now, she's never had much of a chance of getting into the "real" Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Granato may get her shot now, as the Hockey Hall of Fame has changed its voting procedures.

Previously, females nominated faced huge odds in overcoming a male bias in voting - the panel was all male and favoured NHL players. The voters had been limited to inducting four players a year.

Now, the board of directors have told voters that it may induct four males and two females each year.

This is a victory for women's hockey, undoubtedly, but it's also a nod to the impact women have been making on the game since the late 1990s, when it really began to gain popularity.

Granato shouldn't have to wait long for a call. She's considered one of the top players in the history of women's hockey, and she's certainly been a great ambassador for the sport in the United States.

This new voting procedure will be used for the first time when the Class of 2009 is selected in June. Induction ceremonies will take place in November.

Hockey Hall Opens Doors to Women originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ice Sheet: Reflections on a Miracle

Eric McErlain — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Over the weekend, it was nice to see that Adam Gretz made note of the 29th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. As someone who recalls the events of February 1980 very vividly, I never need an excuse to revisit those heady days.

To get a better idea of what the experience was really like, I'd suggest taking a look at something I wrote back in 2003 in the wake of the death of Team USA's head coach, Herb Brooks. For a more personal view of that week's events, you should check out an interview my friend John Keeley did with a St. Louis resident, Herb Driscoll, who was actually at Lake Placid for the Winter Games and witnessed the 4-3 victory over the Soviets in person.

If you've ever seen the movie Miracle -- and how can you call yourself an American ice hockey fan if you haven't -- I'm sure you recall the scene where Herb Brooks and the team are celebrating Christmas 1979 at the home of the team doctor and his wife. Everyone is getting gag gifts, and one of the ones that Brooks gets from the team is a whip. The gag gets a huge laugh, but there's plenty of truth there too. After all, the head coach who molded the team that defeated the mighty Soviets couldn't afford to spare that whip, not even for a moment, if his team expected to win a medal, never mind turn the entire sports world upside down.

In short, the heroes of Lake Placid did not like Herb Brooks, not one bit. Brooks knew this, and knew that if his team was going to achieve anything, it couldn't be any other way, something he acknowledged in a note to his team a couple of months after they had won Gold at Lake Placid:

Personally, this year was not only my most enjoyable year in coaching, but also my toughest. Toughest because it involved making so many difficult decisions regarding the makeup of our final team.

Because of that, and because I wanted to be as objective as possible, I stayed away from close personal contacts with you. I did not want the U.S. Hockey Community to say that regionalism and/or favoritism entered into my final selections...

If there was any team I wanted to identify with on a personal basis, this was the team. Hopefully, that day will come.

For good or ill, we live in a world today where we seem to want to consider feelings in the workplace above all else. If there's any real lesson we can take from what Brooks and his team achieved at Lake Placid, perhaps it's that we need to remember that hard work and achievement more often than not are the necessary precursors to fellowship and good will. If anything, it sounds like a lesson we need to put into practice today.

Every Monday morning The Ice Sheet will take a close look at everything that's happened in the NHL since Friday night at 5:00 PM -- or if need be, anything else the author wants to bleat about. To read them all, click here.

The Ice Sheet: Reflections on a Miracle originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Anniversary, Miracle on Ice

Adam Gretz — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Twenty-nine years ago Sunday, a group of American college kids, led by head coach Herb Brooks, went up against the heavily favored Soviet Union and shocked the world with a 4-3 win, giving announcer Al Michaels a career moment and creating a piece of history that not only altered sports but America at large.

Captain Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, beating goaltender Vladimir Myshkin, who had surprisingly replaced the legendary Vladislav Tretiak in the second period.

Entering the game, the Soviets had not lost in Olympic competition since 1968, and dismantled the United States team, 10-3, in an exhibition game earlier in the year.

Aside from its international domination, the Soviet team also went 5-3-1 against NHL teams and beat the NHL All-Stars, 6-0, a year earlier. Oh, and let's not forget how the two countries were wrapped up in the Cold War at the time.

The United States claimed the gold medal the following night by defeating Finland, 4-2.

1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

Goalies: Jim Craig, Steve Janaszak

Defense: Ken Morrow, Mike Ramsey, Bill Baker, Dave Christian, Jack O'Callahan, Bob Suter

Forwards: Mark Johnson, Mike Eruzione, Dave Silk, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, John Harrington, Rob McClanahan, Mark Pavelich, Buzz Schneider, Eric Strobel, Phil Verchota, Mark Wells

Happy Anniversary, Miracle on Ice originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Team USA Could Look Like in Vancouver Olympics

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, Olympic Hockey

We're less than one year away from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Once again, the NHL will take a mid-season break and allow its players to participate in the Games.

After a wonderful run to silver in Salt Lake City back in 2002, Team USA was nothing short of disappointing in Torino three years ago. The Americans went just 1-3-1 in pool play, including an inexplicable tie against Latvia, before dropping a 4-3 decision to Finland in the quarterfinals. Heading into 2010, general manager Brian Burke has plenty of decisions to make, mainly surrounding the question of age.

With apologies to James Mirtle, Michael Farber, and Team Canada fanboy Pierre McGuire, I present to you one man's guess as to who Burke will take to Vancouver.

While we're still close to a year from the start of the tournament, this is obviously based on how guys are playing now. It's also based on who we can expect to see lifting their game up over the next few months. The odds are high that someone will fall off the map, and someone else will rise up out of virtually nowhere to take their place.

Everyone wants to match this team up with Canada, and the reality is that neither the United States nor Canada did well in the last Olympics (both were knocked out in the quarterfinals). It's more important that we have a balanced group in Vancouver, instead of one that can beat the Canadians. Yes, they're on home ice, but it's not going to automatically put them in the gold-medal game.

Goalies

Ryan Miller
Tim Thomas
Rick DiPietro

Sorry: Ty Conklin, Jonathan Quick

Miller is a clear-cut number-one in my view. I love what Thomas is doing this year with the Bruins, but I think Miller is a better fit for the international game. He'll come in with a lot to prove, since Don Waddell stupidly passed on him for the 2006 Games. When If DiPietro is hurt, Quick is my pick for a third goalie, based on the fact it will give him experience for future Games. Of course, DiPietro could end up as a number one or two goalie if he proves he's healthy between now and the Games.

Defensemen

Erik Johnson - Brian Rafalski
Ryan Suter - Jack Johnson
Joe Corvo - Mike Komisarek
Extras: Paul Martin, Ryan Whitney

Sorry: Keith Ballard, Tom Gilbert

I believe Martin and Whitney are solid alternates. Why did I pair the top six up like this? Erik Johnson will be back with the Blues in plenty of time for the Games, and I think he's the best young defenseman we have. He has size, speed, hands, and a great shot. Rafalski is a smart, reliable, tough player who can quarterback the power play.

Jack Johnson is a beast. Not only does he have reputable hockey skills, but he is a fan favorite (NOT!) in Canada because of his intensely physical game. I'm sure they'll roll out whatever the opposite of a red carpet is for Jack. Suter is more of an offensive defenseman, but he should work well with the responsible Jack Johnson.

Komisarek is a big hitter, and I like Corvo as a guy who can help out on the power play. Corvo and Whitney are almost interchangeable in my view, but Whitney has more upside as an offensive threat. Where he gets the squeeze are my concerns about his ability in the defensive zone, along with the throng of puck-moving defensemen I have to choose from.

Forwards

Zach Parise - Phil Kessel - Patrick Kane
Dustin Brown - Paul Stastny - Bobby Ryan
David Booth - Chris Drury - Blake Wheeler
Jason Blake - Ryan Kesler - Jamie Langenbrunner
Extras: Scott Gomez, Chris Higgins

Sorry: Erik Cole, Brian Gionta

The first line is all about speed. All three guys can fly. Parise is one of the smarter players you'll see anywhere. He has already set career highs in goals, assists, and points, and he's on track to set a new career high in plus-minus. Kessel is a goal-scoring machine, and Kane's skill is a perfect compliment on the right wing.

Stastny is a candidate for first-line center if he can stay healthy. I love how Ryan is playing for the Ducks (a draft pick of Burke's, by the way). Brown is one of the more underrated forwards in the game right now. The third line has some solid skill, a couple of very good young players in Wheeler and Booth, and Drury, who has shown many times his ability to step up in big games.

The fourth line has two classic two-way types in Kesler and Langenbrunner (my choice for captain of this team, by the way). Blake is the type of player who can fit in just about any situation. He'll work his tail off for Team USA, even if it's on the fourth line.

As far as alternates, I'd take Higgins for his two-way ability (he'd be a candidate for the fourth line if Blake isn't seen as a fit), and Gomez. I guess we can't just shed every link to Team USAs of the past.

Now it's your turn. Who did I miss?

What Team USA Could Look Like in Vancouver Olympics originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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