Zach Parise is the simplest pick on this US team destined to go to Vancouver for the Olympics. Who else will or should make up this team and how will they fare?
Goaltenders
This is the strongest set of US goalies ever available for any US international team. This may be the first time since the 1996 World Cup with Mike Richter that the US is entering an international tournament with the best goaltending in the world.
Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres is looking like the starter on this team. Craig Anderson and last year's Vezina trophy winner Tim Thomas will back him up. That's depth in nets.
Last year Thomas lead all goalies who played at least a third of their team's games with a .933 save percentage. Craig Anderson was third and Ryan Miller was eighth. Nice grouping.
This year Miller is tied for first, Anderson is fourth, and Thomas is 12th—tied with Henrik Lundquist.
Goaltending should be an American strength at these Olympics.
Jonathon Quick would be the fourth US goalie and the first injury replacement, but he won't be needed.
Defensemen
Brian Raf ...
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Article written by Scott Weldon
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: US Men’s Hockey Team
November 18th, 2009 by Scott Weldon Leave a reply »
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