faba Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Team USA announces 23-man Olympic rosterAssociated Press When U.S. goaltender Rick DiPietro looks out from his crease at the Turin Olympics, he'll see a defenseman nearly twice his age protecting him. Team USA Goalies Rick DiPietro, Islanders; Robert Esche, Flyers; John Grahame, Lightning Defensemen Chris Chelios, Red Wings; Derian Hatcher, Flyers; Jordan Leopold, Flames; John-Michael Liles, Avalanche; Aaron Miller, Kings; Brian Rafalski, Devils; Mathieu Schneider, Red Wings Forwards Jason Blake, Islanders; Erik Cole, Hurricanes; Craig Conroy, Kings; Chris Drury, Sabres; Brian Gionta, Devils; Scott Gomez, Devils; Bill Guerin, Stars; Mike Knuble, Flyers; Mike Modano, Stars; Mark Parrish, Islanders; Brian Rolston, Wild; Keith Tkachuk, Blues; Doug Weight, Blues That is the long and short -- make that the young and old -- of the U.S. Olympic hockey team revealed Monday night in St. Paul, Minn. The New York Islanders' 24-year-old goaltender was the youngest player chosen by general manager Don Waddell. Defenseman Chris Chelios will be 44 by the time the first puck drops next February in Italy. "A defenseman that's only two years younger than me?" Waddell said with a laugh. "No, I did not imagine that when we started this whole process." All three U.S. goaltenders are Olympic newcomers, making that key position the team's biggest question mark. Of the remaining 20 players -- 13 forwards and seven defenseman -- 11 have been to the Olympics, including two four-time participants and four making their third trips. All 23 players are in the NHL. One noticeable omission on defense is Boston's Brian Leetch, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and three-time Olympian. "We did a rating system all year and these guys deserved to be here," Waddell said. "It wasn't that Brian was a bad player or anything than that; it was just that these guys performed better and these guys were a better fit for what we were looking for." John LeClair (Pittsburgh), Jeremy Roenick (Los Angeles) and the recently retired Brett Hull were three familiar forwards left off the squad. Waddell met with assistant GM Paul Holmgren and the rest of his staff Sunday night to make the final, difficult decisions. Defense was the area that struck the most debate. "We had a lot of players playing very well," Waddell said. "We said all along that we were going to base this team on not so much what was the history of players ... but how guys were actually playing." Chelios, a Detroit defenseman, made his Olympic debut in 1984 and returned in 1998 and 2002 when NHL players were permitted to play. "He's the ultimate competitor," Waddell said. "He's capable of being a part of this team. He plays all the hard minutes in Detroit." USA Hockey was the first national federation to announce its roster. Team Canada will be next on Wednesday, and the remaining countries in the 12-nation tournament will make their selections known later this week -- the deadline set by the International Ice Hockey Federation. For the third time, the NHL is taking a lengthy break to allow its players to take part in the Olympics. The American forwards are anchored by veterans Mike Modano (Dallas) and Doug Weight (St. Louis ), who both played in 1998 in Nagano and four years later at Salt Lake City. Modano leads the Stars with 30 points in 30 games, while Weight holds the Blues lead with 23 points in their first 27 games. The U.S. finished well out of the medal round the first time NHLers went to the Olympics and left Japan in disgrace after causing property damage. The Americans rebounded on home ice in 2002, losing the gold medal match to Canada. New Jersey spark plug Brian Gionta, who at 5-foot-7 has benefited greatly by the NHL's new rules that will be used in the Olympics, and fellow small speedster Jason Blake of the Islanders will be making their first Olympic appearances. Mark Parrish was the third New York player chosen. "It's unbelievable, I don't know what to say," Blake exclaimed. "Along with winning the cup with the Islanders this is one of my dreams." Besides the Islanders, Philadelphia and New Jersey also had three players chosen. Erik Cole, who plays under American coach Peter Laviolette with Carolina, will join Craig Conroy (Los Angeles), New Jersey's Scott Gomez and Philadelphia's Mike Knuble as first-time Olympic forwards. Chris Drury (Buffalo) returns after a 2002 appearance, and Bill Guerin (Dallas) is making his third trip along with Minnesota's Brian Rolston. St. Louis left winger Keith Tkachuk hopes to make his fourth Olympic appearance in red, white and blue -- but that depends on knuckles that currently are black and blue. Tkachuk is expected to miss four to six weeks after being struck in the right hand by a puck last Friday. Tkachuk and Chelios would be the first four-time Olympians in U.S. hockey history. Once he plays, Chelios -- the captain of the 2002 squad -- will be the third-oldest player in Olympic history. Gionta leads the Devils with 33 points -- including 18 goals -- in 32 games, while Cole has 25 points for the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes. The defense corps is a mix of old and young, starting with Chelios and ending with 25-year-old players Jordan Leopold (Calgary) and John-Michael Liles (Colorado). They are joined by Philadelphia's Derian Hatcher and Detroit's Mathieu Schneider -- 1998 returnees -- and Aaron Miller (Los Angeles) and Brian Rafalski (New Jersey), holdovers from 2002. DiPietro is likely to receive the bulk of the time in goal once the American team opens against Latvia on Feb. 15. He went 12-10-2 with a 3.18 goals-against average in his first 26 games this season. Philadelphia's Robert Esche has battled inconsistency and injury so far this season, and he is currently sidelined by a nagging groin injury. John Grahame, who took over for Nikolai Khabibulin with Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay, is the third goaltender -- edging out Buffalo's Ryan Miller and Edmonton's Ty Conklin, who both were injured much of the early season. "We did talk about Ryan Miller quite a bit," Waddell said. "The other three guys are all starting goalies in the NHL right now." I will have to root for Islanders and Flyers players- Yuck-I guess for the good old USA you must make sacrifices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 If the goal is to win, Leetch should be on the team. On the bigger ice surface he can run a power play, even as old as he is, better than anyone. Chelios is getting by on rep. And being a tough guy like Chelios doesn't mean as much in the international-type game as does the speed, passing and shooting fo Leetch would. Simply retarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Full of crap. Have you seen Chelios play, this year? Being that I live in Detroit and I'm an avid hockey fan, I have. And, I have to tell you what... he's been damn good. He's a rock for the Wings. And, to top that, he's going to be the Captian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Chelios' 3 or 4 dumb penalties a game, along with his undoubtedly embarrassing off ice comments, will make a mess of things. Leetch is too good a player and a guy not to be there. But for some reason the morons who pick the US team don't care for Leetch. Mike York gets a short straw too. Who the eff is Don Waddell? Let me make sure I understand-Leetch misses games with injury and that's held agaisnt him. But Tkachuk was so out of shape that the Blues didn't even dress him until a week and half ago. But Leetch stays home and Tkachuk goes. Other than 1 World Cup win in 1995 where Richter played phenomenal and in 1980 when they let Brooks do it, USA hockey has always been run by small-minded fools. Enjoy Chris Chelios or who ever making a mess of you powerless play while Russia, Canada, the Czechs and the Swedes laugh at you for picking a "tough guy" team in a tournament based on speed and passing. No need tyo worry-the Americans don't have a power play point man to worry you. Take 2 minutes when ever, because the Yanks cannot score a man up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Chelios' 3 or 4 dumb penalties a game, along with his undoubtedly embarrassing off ice comments, will make a mess of things. Leetch is too good a player and a guy not to be there. But for some reason the morons who pick the US team don't care for Leetch. Mike York gets a short straw too. Who the eff is Don Waddell? Let me make sure I understand-Leetch misses games with injury and that's held agaisnt him. But Tkachuk was so out of shape that the Blues didn't even dress him until a week and half ago. But Leetch stays home and Tkachuk goes. Other than 1 World Cup win in 1995 where Richter played phenomenal and in 1980 when they let Brooks do it, USA hockey has always been run by small-minded fools. Enjoy Chris Chelios or who ever making a mess of you powerless play while Russia, Canada, the Czechs and the Swedes laugh at you for picking a "tough guy" team in a tournament based on speed and passing. No need tyo worry-the Americans don't have a power play point man to worry you. Take 2 minutes when ever, because the Yanks cannot score a man up. This isn't 1995 and Chelios isn't wearing a Blackhawks sweater any longer. He hasn't been like that in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 It doesn't matter anyways, TEAM USA is going to get killed and besides, who wants to watch pros play in the olympics. I'd rather watch Miracle come February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanDoug Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Roenick was all over the sports shows up here crying like a baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gang Green Girl Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Roenick was all over the sports shows up here crying like a baby. Sorry I missed that! He needs to grow up. Did he say he'll be rooting for Team Canada? I agree with Gun. Don't want to see pros playing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Roenick was all over the sports shows up here crying like a baby. JR is a baby. The whole TEAM USA/Professional player concept is a joke. I mean here it is 2 months before Turin and they're just putting the team together. Like they're going to get together for practices in their off time? The 1980 team played and trained for 6 months before the Olympics started. The who system is a joke and a mockery of what the olympics are about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 the 1980 Olympic win by USA was a one time event in our lifetme- makes you cherish the accomplishment- amateurs playing against pros Olympics will never go back to being just amateurs in any sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 the 1980 Olympic win by USA was a one time event in our lifetme- makes you cherish the accomplishment- amateurs playing against pros Olympics will never go back to being just amateurs in any sport True. Especially since the Cold War ended, there's really no way this could ever happen again. Besides, here in Brooklyn, seems like a good hunk of the white people who live here now lived there in 1980. And that probably includes Tretiak(who now lives near Chicago) and Fetisov(who has a house in New Jersey)and God knows how many other players from that losing 1980 Soviet team have switched residence to America.If you're under 30, you probably barely have an idea how different this world was before 1989. And thankfully, what ever other problems we have, that won't come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanDoug Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Sorry I missed that! He needs to grow up. Did he say he'll be rooting for Team Canada? I agree with Gun. Don't want to see pros playing! No he didn't say anything about that, he was too busy talking about how good he still is and how this is a clear case of blackballing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanDoug Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Side note. The Canadian team gets announced tomorrow and it's a live TV event, huge here. See you guys in the final? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Side note. The Canadian team gets announced tomorrow and it's a live TV event, huge here. See you guys in the final? No way the USA makes it that far. DiPietro is a sieve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 The Czech team-aka half of the NY Rangers roster-will skate circles around the US squad on the bigger ice surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gang Green Girl Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 J.R. is out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger and needs surgery. It happened during Monday night's shootout against the Canucks. He said it was "disrespectful" to leave him off the team and that Team USA has been blackballing him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 the thought of a 44 year old Chelios trying to keep up with European speed on an international sheet of ice is comical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 the thought of a 44 year old Chelios trying to keep up with European speed on an international sheet of ice is comical. I really don't get it. Chelios is as mobile as an orange road cone, and much worse on the big ice. And Leetch would've taken it in a second. He may not be 1994 Leetch, but he can still skate and pass better than anyone they have on their roster now. Once a game or so, Leetch could go end to end, which nobody on their roster can do. And on a bigger sheet, they wouldn't be able to touch him. But may be Tkachuk and Chelios can get drunk, say some ugly American stuff, bust up a hotel room or 2 and generally embarrass US Hockey again, like they did at Nagano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonJet Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 The Czech team-aka half of the NY Rangers roster-will skate circles around the US squad on the bigger ice surface. I figure the Czechs will be my 2nd favorite team for the Olympics after the USA just because of how many Rangers they have. In fact, they would be wise to make their top line Straka, Rucinsky, and Jagr because they already play together. And in a shameless homeristic plug for the Rangers, team USA could have used the endless hustle and penalty-killing abilities of Jed Ortmeyer. He is an amazing PK'er. And how the hell did Keith Tkachuk make the roster? Isn't he going to be out 4-6 weeks anyhow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetLee83 Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 DiPietro is a sieve Exactly, so are the other 2. Ryan Miller should have made the team, if he wouldnt have been hurt, he woulda been there for sure, hes def the best out of those three idiots. Miller is 4-0 VS. Esche, DiPietro and Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbn007 Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 True. Especially since the Cold War ended, there's really no way this could ever happen again. Besides, here in Brooklyn, seems like a good hunk of the white people who live here now lived there in 1980. And that probably includes Tretiak(who now lives near Chicago) and Fetisov(who has a house in New Jersey)and God knows how many other players from that losing 1980 Soviet team have switched residence to America.If you're under 30, you probably barely have an idea how different this world was before 1989. And thankfully, what ever other problems we have, that won't come back. AMEN to that pal. I always felt from the late 1960s until Glasnot (sp??) that we were always 1 push of the red button away from Nuclear disaster. The threats now-a-days are nothing compared to that. Not even in the same league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.