USA Hockey Announces Olympic Camp Roster

34 players have been named to the roster that will be at the US orientation camp, to take place from August 17th-19th. Many college players are represented. They are:

Goalies – Ryan Miller (Michigan State), Tim Thomas (Vermont), Jonathan Quick (UMass),

Defensemen – Tom Gilbert (Wisconsin), Ron Hainsey (UMass-Lowell), Erik Johnson (Minnesota), Jack Johnson (Michigan), Mike Komisarek (Michigan), Paul Martin (Minnesota), Brooks Orpik (Boston College), Brian Rafalski (Wisconsin), Rob Scuderi (Boston College), Ryan Suter (Wisconsin), Ryan Whitney (Boston University)

Forwards – David Backes (Minnesota State), David Booth (Michigan State), Chris Drury (Boston University), Ryan Kesler (Ohio State), Phil Kessel (Minnesota), Ryan Malone (St. Cloud State), Kyle Okposo (Minnesota), TJ Oshie (North Dakota), Zach Parise (North Dakota), Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin), and Paul Stastny (Denver)

Whew. Lots of college guys on the team. I’m certainly excited to see that, but this team definitely underwhelms me. I think they’ll be good at the back as Miller is a top shelf goalie, and Thomas was the Vezina winner this year, not to mention they have many solid defensemen, but I don’t see where the goals come from. I am absolutely shocked that Brian Gionta wasn’t on the list given his speed (although the fact that the olympics will be played on an NHL rink might have something to do with it) and Blake Wheeler. Wheeler had a great rookie season for the Bruins, and honestly would have been one of the better goal scorers on this team. I’m also surprised that Keith Ballard didn’t get an invite. There isn’t a terribly obvious person to take off the list, but Gilbert could go in my opinion. No Jordan Leopold or John Michael Liles, a personal favorite of mine, was mildly surprising as well.

No matter who they took, the US is going to struggle to even have a shot at medaling in Vancouver.