The Team
Forwards
David Backes- St. Louis Blues,
Backes was drafted in 2003 by the St. Louis Blues and has been in the league since the 2006—2007 season. He is currently the captain of the Blues. The center is one of 3 Blues on the US team, and will provide a strong defensive-oriented presence, likely on the third line. He also has the ability to provide some additional scoring. Backes appeared in the 2010 Olympics, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists in 6 games. Hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota and will wear the number 42.
Dustin Brown- Los Angeles Kings,
Brown was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the LA Kings, and has suited up for the team since the 2003-2004 season. Now serving as captain of the Kings, Brown will provide leadership and a solid right wing agitator presence. Likely to play on the third or fourth lines, Brown isn’t a scoring machine, but can be a good defensive minded forward and will add a strong physical presence to the team. Brown played in 6 games in the 2010 Olympics, but did not score any points. He will most likely play a similar role in these winter games. Hails from Ithaca, New York, and will wear number 23.
Ryan Callahan- New York Rangers
Callahan was drafted in the 2004 draft by the New York Rangers and has played in the league since the 2006-2007 season. He is now the captain of the Rangers, and provides another leadership presence to a team with a great deal of it. Callahan is another two-way, physical player, the right-winger is also a candidate for a third or fourth line checking presence. One of he or Brown could switch to left wing to build a strong third line for the US team. Callahan played in 6 games in the 2010 Olympics, notching 1 assist. He hails from Rochester, New York and will wear number 24.
Patrick Kane- Chicago Blackhawks
Kane was drafted 1st overall by the Blackhawks in the 2007 draft, and has played in the league since the 2007-2008 season. The dynamic right-winger will play on the first line and will most likely lead the US team in scoring. Kane is one of the top players in the NHL and he will be looked to to provide the team with goals. He notched 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games for the United States in the 2010 Olympics, and a lot will be expected of him in these winter games as well. Hails from Buffalo, New York and will wear number 88.
Ryan Kesler- Vancouver Canucks
Kesler was drafted in the first round by the Canucks in 2003, and has been in the league since the 2003-2004 season. Kesler will likely center the top line for team USA, and provides the team with an all-around player that can provide both offense and defense. He is another returning player from the 2010 Olympic team, where he played in all six games and scored 2 goals for the US team. He is from Livonia, Michigan and will wear the number 17.
Phil Kessel- Toronto Maple Leafs
Kessel was drafted in the 1st round of the draft by the Boston Bruins in 2006. He started his career with Boston in 2006-2007 before being traded to the Leafs prior to the 2010-2011 season. Kessel will likely play right wing on the second line, and will be looked to for his offensive production. He may be one of the team’s top goal scorers, and will be essential in the USA’s goal-scoring efforts. He played in 6 games for the United States in 2010, and scored 1 goal and 1 assist. He comes from Madison, Wisconsin and will wear number 81.
T.J Oshie- St. Louis Blues
Oshie was drafted by the Blues in the first round of the draft in 2005/. He entered the league during the 2008-2009 season and has consistently been one of the team’s top forwards. The right winger could join teammate Backes on the third line, but will more likely be used as a fourth line winger to provide energy and some possible scoring depth. This will be Oshie’s first Olympic appearance. He hails from Warroad, Minnesota, and will wear number 74.
Max Pacioretty- Montreal Canadiens
Pacioretty was drafted by the Canadiens in the first round in 2007. He entered the league in 2008-2009, but spent a few years going between the NHL and AHL, until finally sticking with the team in 2011-2012. Pacioretty has become a strong offensive player for the Candiens, but will likely play less of an offensive role with team USA. He will most likely skate as a 4th line left winger, used to provide speed, and a strong physical presence. This will be Pacioretty’s first Olympic appearance. He is from New Caanan, Connecticut, and will wear number 67.
Zach Parise- Minnesota Wild
Parise was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the New Jersey Devils, and started his career with the Devils in the 2005-2006 season before signing with the Wild as a free agent before the 2012-2013 season. Parise will serve as captain of the US team and will play left wing on the top scoring line along with Kesler and Kane. Parise can provide the US with a scoring presence on the wing, but also has a strong defensive side of his game. He scored 4 goals in 4 assists in 6 games in the 2010 Olympics, and will be looked to to provide that same scoring touch this time around. Parise is from Minneapolis, Minnesota and will wear number 9.
Joe Pavelski- San Jose Sharks
Pavelski was drafted by the Sharks in 2003 and started his career in the 2006-2007 season. He will likely center the team’s second line and will hopefully be there to provide an additional scoring presence. Pavelski has the ability to switch to wing if needed and can also play a defensive game. The speedy center has quietly developed into a top scorer in the NHL and will definitely be someone to watch in the Olympics. He appeared in the 2010 games and notched 3 assists in 6 games. He is from Plover, Wisconsin and will wear number 8.
Paul Stastny- Colorado Avalanche
Stastny was drafted by Colorado in 2005, and broke into the league for the 2006-2007. The two-way center will likely play on the team’s 4th line, and will be used in more of a defensive role. Stastny can usually be counted on for secondary scoring, but will be put to better use as a speed and energy guy that can chip in on offense. He played in the 2010 Olympics and had 1 goal and 2 assists in 6 games. He is from St. Louis, Missouri and will wear number 26.
Derek Stepan- New York Rangers
Stepan was drafted by the Rangers in the 2008 draft, and entered the league for the 2010-2011 season. One of the youngest guys on the team, Stepan is a natural center that will be there to provide extra two-way ability and speed. He could play 4th line center, but given the depth at the center position, he will most likely be used as an extra forward. This will be Stepan’s first Olympic appearance. He is from Hastings, Minnesota and will wear number 12.
James van Riemsdyk- Toronto Maple Leafs
van Riemsdyk was drafted 2nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007, right after team USA teammate Patrick Kane. It was the first time that two American born players were taken with the top 2 picks in the NHL draft. Van Riemsdyk entered the league with Philadelphia for the 2007-2008 season before being traded to the Maple Leafs prior to the 2012-2013 season. The left-winger will likely join teammate Kessel on the second line, and will add a scoring presence to a line that is going to be counted on for offensive production. This will be van Riemsdyk’s first Olympic appearance. He is from Middletown, New Jersey and will wear number 21.
Blake Wheeler- Winnipeg Jets
Wheeler was drafter by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1st round of the 2004 draft. He played college hockey for the University of Minnesota and then signed with Boston as a free agent prior to the 2008-2009 season. He was traded the the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010-2011 season and was still with the team when they relocated to Winnipeg prior to the 2011-2012 season. Wheeler is a right winger that can be used as a power forward. He could see time on the 3rd or 4th lines, but will more likely be used as an extra forward. This will be Wheeler’s first Olympic appearance. He is from Robbinsdale, Minnesota and will wear number 28.
Defensemen
John Carlson- Washington Capitals
Carlson was drafted by the Capitals in the 2008 draft and entered the league during the 2009-2010 season. Carlson is a big shut-down defenseman that will likely play on the US team’s top pairing. This will be Carlson’s first Olympic appearance. He is from Colonia, New Jersey and will wear number 4.
Justin Faulk- Carolina Hurricanes
Faulk was drafted by the Hurricanes in the 2010 draft, and entered the league during the 2011-2012 season. Faulk will be one of the youngest players on a very young American defense. Faulk will likely either be on the third defensive pairing or suit up as an extra defenseman. He is a strong skater that is smart defensively, but still can help to provide some offense. This is Faulk’s first Olympic appearance. He is from St. Paul, Minnesota and will wear number 72.
Cam Fowler- Anaheim Ducks
Fowler was drafted by Anaheim in the first round of the 2010 draft, and he entered the league during the 2010-2011 season. Fowler is another in a group of young up-and-coming defensemen, and he will most likely be used as an extra defenseman, but could get some time on the third pairing. Fowler is a speedy puck-moving defenseman that has a strong offensive side to his game. This will be his first Olympic appearance. He is from Farmington Heights, Michigan and will wear number 3.
Paul Martin- Pittsburgh Penguins
Martin was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2000, and entered the league during the 2003-2004 season before signing with Pittsburgh as a free agent prior to the 2010-2011 season. Martin comes in as one of the few US players that actually played before the 2004-2005 lockout. He can play as a left or right handed shot, which brings versatility to his use on different pairings. He can make some offensive contributions, but will be more looked at for his smart defensive play. This is Martin’s first Olympic appearance. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota and will wear number 7.
Ryan McDonagh- New York Rangers
Drafted by Montreal in the first round of the 2007 draft. He played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin before being traded to the Rangers in 2009. He first suited up for the Rangers in the 2010-2011 season. McDonagh will likely anchor the team’s second pairing, because although young, he has the ability to play a complete game. He is a big strong defenseman who can be fast and sometimes contribute offensively. This will be McDonagh’s first Olympic appearance. He is from St. Paul, Minnesota and will wear number 27.
Brooks Orpik- Pittsburgh Penguins
Orpik was drafted by the Penguins in the first round of the 2000 draft and he entered the league in the 2002-2003 season. Orpik is a defensive-defenseman and plays a physical game. He will not be counted on for much offensive production, and will likely be paired on either the 3rd pairing or suit up as an extra defenseman. He appeared in 6 games for the US team in 2010, and registered no points. He is from Amherst, New York and will wear number 44.
Kevin Shattenkirk- St. Louis Blues
Shattenkirk was drafted in the 1st round by Colorado in 2007. He entered the league with Colorado in 2010-2011 before being traded to St. Louis mid-season. Another young guy on defense, Shattenkirk is a speedy and offensively gifted defenseman who will likely play alongside McDonagh on the second pairing. This will be Shattenkirk’s first Olympic appearance. He is from New Rochelle, New York and will wear number 22.
Ryan Suter- Minnesota Wild
Suter was drafted in the first round by Nashville in 2003, and entered the league with the Predators in 2005-2006. He played with Nashville until signing with Minnesota as a free agent prior to the 2012-2013 season. Suter will play top minutes for the United States and will be the anchor and leader of a very young but very talented defense. The defense will go as Suter goes, so he is someone to keep an eye on. He played for the United States in the 2010 Olympics, and notched 4 assists. He is from Madison, Wisconsin and will wear number 20.
Goalies
Jimmy Howard- Detroit Red Wings
He was drafted by the Red Wings in 2003, and entered the league on a regular basis during the 2009-2010 season. He will likely be the third string goalie and most likely will not see playing time, but he is a goalie with a lot of great skill if he were to be called upon. This will be his first Olympic appearance. He is from Ogdensburg, New York and will wear number 35.
Ryan Miller- Buffalo Sabres
Miller was drafted by the Sabres in the 1999 draft and attended Michigan State University before joining the Sabres organization. He joined the league on a consistent basis in 2005-2006. He will likely be the starter in goal after a strong season for an abysmal Sabres team, but realistically it could go either way between Miller and Quick. Miller could get the nod because he led team USA in goal during the 2010 games and won MVP of the tournament. He is from East Lansing, Michigan and will wear number 39.
Jonathan Quick- Los Angeles Kings
Quick was drafted by the Kings in 2005, and entered the league on a regular basis in 2008-2009. He could start for the US team, but more likely be the backup. Having Quick and Miller is a good problem to have, and we will most likely see Quick in net at some point in the tournament, whether it be for relief purposes or if Miller struggles. This will be Quick’s second Olympic games, although he did not see playing time in 2010. Quick hails from Milford, Connecticut and will wear number 32.
Team Positives
Offense: The US team certainly has a great deal of offensive depth and will be one of the speediest teams to suit up at the games. This will come in handy as the rinks will be bigger than the ones used in the NHL. The four lines are all solid two-way players with a lot of scoring capability and smart defensive minded players.
Defense: Like the offense, the defense will be fast and agile. They have a good balance of defensemen that are good with the puck and big bodied stay at home guys. The defense should be able to help offensively for the most part, but their speed and smart defensive play will be their greatest strength.
Goaltending: The goaltending could end up being team USA’s biggest strength in this tournament. They have three very capable goalies, two of which are former Vezina winners at the NHL level.
Team Negatives
Offense: While depth and speed will give the team an advantage on the large ice, it might not be enough to go against some of the biggest powerhouses in the tournament. There are a lot of players that have the potential to provide secondary scoring, but in a short tournament, there may not be enough sure-things. The team lacks a consistent goal scoring sniper, which could prove to be problematic. The team could be fine, but if the top guys end up unable to score, it may be their downfall.
Defense: This team was built with speed and size in mind, but if anything is going to kill the USA defense, it will be their inexperience. The problem with having such a young and inexperienced team in a short tournament is that if one minor breakdown occurs it could mean the difference between winning it all and going home disappointed.
Goaltending: The goaltending could be this team’s biggest strength in that if the other positions falter, the goalies have the ability to pick up the slack, but the trouble occurs if they are unable to do that. There aren’t a lot of downsides to this goaltending tandem, but if inconsistency occurs, it could be bad for team USA.
Outlook
The USA team looks pretty good on paper. They have a great deal of speed and skill, which will work to their favor. There are certainly questions that remain about their ability to score consistently and their ability remain consistent in the defensive zone, but the team was put together pretty well. It is just a matter of whether or not they have the fire-power to go up against the skill of teams like Canada, Russia and Sweden. Another thing this team will have going for it is that they are hungry. The United States came so close 4 years ago just to have gold snatched away from them from the rival Canadians, and that could make them want it even more. I don’t think that gold is out of the question, but silver or bronze may be a more realistic expectation for this team. They should expect to medal, but even a 4th place finish wouldn’t be out of the question. The reality is that this team is very up in the air. They could dominate, or they could falter.
Schedule
Thanks a lot Russia for being on the opposite side of the world. There won’t be very much “I’ll catch the game if it’s on” in these Olympic games. Most of the games will take place at weird hours- the middle of the night, the middle of the day, or in the case of the preliminary United States’ games: first thing in the morning.
February 13- 7:30 AM NBCSN- USA v. Slovakia
February 15- 7:00 AM NBCSN USA v. Russia
February 16- 7:15 AM NBCSN USA v Slovenia
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