Team USA Chooses Youth Over Experience

If you’ve already glanced over the roster for the 2010 Russian Olympic team then you know that the offensive fire-power they have up front will likely invoke the fear of God in opposing netminders and defenseman alike. And if you read through trademark names of Team Canada, a potent group that comprises veteran leadership with youthful talent, then you know that that makes them an obvious force to be reckoned with. So, my fellow Americans, what was your reaction to hearing the official US roster after today’s Winter Classic?

If I could surmise our hopes at any possible shot a a medal in a single statement: in Miller we trust.

Not taking anything away from the rest of the lineup, but it is clear that goaltending will have to be the backbone of this team if they have any chance at bringing home some hardware from Vancouver. Ryan Miller is arguably the best goaltender in the NHL right now with 21 wins, a 2.05 GAA, and a save percentage of .933.

Brian Burke’s roster of twenty-three is a somewhat surprising list that shows a preference to youth over experience. There are 17 players on the roster yet to reach their 30th birthday and 13 are 25-or-younger. Like it or not, it’s what Burke envisioned when he began pinpointing players during last summer’s 34-player, three-day orientation camp in Chicago.

“We stressed character when we were putting this team together and wanted to identify people who would rise to the occasion,” Burke said. “We’ve put together high hockey IQ’s and versatile players and players with good foot speed.”

But with the youth and speed comes the absence of veteran leadership and prior Olympic hockey experience. Burke decided to pass on three-time Olympian Mike Modano as well as former Olympians Scott Gomez, Bill Guerin, and Keith Tkachuk. In fact, just three players on the squad have previous Olympic experience, including forwards Langenbrunner and Drury and defenseman Rafalski. Drury and Rafalski played for the 2002 Team that won silver in Salt Lake City — the year Canada won gold and Russia bronze.

Based on the comparative lack of depth and experience on the US roster, it is evident that Ryan Miller, along with Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick, will have to be exemplary between the pipes. In a tournament as short as this, anything can happen and a single goal may be the difference between hearing your anthem on the podium at the closing ceremonies or going home early.

USA 2010 Olympic Roster

G Ryan Miller

G
Tim Thomas

G
Jonathan Quick

D
Brian Rafalski

D
Ryan Suter

D
Paul Martin

D
Jack Johnson

D
Erik Johnson

D
Brooks Orpik

D
Mike Komisarek

F
Joe Pavelski

F
Zach Parise

F
Phil Kessel

F
Jamie Langenbrunner

F
Paul Stastny

F
Patrick Kane

F
Dustin Brown

F
Bobby Ryan

F
Ryan Malone

F
Ryan Kesler

F
Ryan Callahan

F
Chris Drury

F
David Backes

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
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US Olympic Quick Hits: Kane’s Legal Issues and the Youth Revolution
Ducks-Penguins Trade Breakdown
Canucks: Looking forward to Round 2
The Outliers – Team USA’s Quest for Olympic Gold
Chicago Blackhawks Ignore Lack of Playoff Experience

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