As they prepare for the 2018 Winter Olympics without the benefit of NHL players, USA Hockey has announced their National Select team that will suit up in the Deutschland Cup from November 10-12. The team represents a good look at who will be considered for the Olympic team, minus several college-aged players that will stay with their NCAA teams for now. Jordan Greenway, Troy Terry and others will likely be on the roster in Pyeongchang, but will not suit up in Germany with this squad.
Among the names are several that will be immediately recognized by NHL fans, with Ryan Malone, Brian Gionta and Mark Stuart among the most notable. Each player is barely removed from the NHL, with Malone having made a comeback in Minnesota camp after a few years away (he signed an AHL contract with the Iowa Wild to maintain Olympic eligibility) and Stuart and Gionta both playing full seasons in 2016-17. Impressively, 21 of the 29 players have NHL experience making this squad better than some have expected to ice.
Below is the full roster:
F Ryan Stoa
F Mark Arcobello
F Chad Kolarik
F Andy Miele
F Brian O’Neill
F Brian Gionta
F Jim Slater
F Dan Sexton
F Broc Little
F Sean Backman
F Drew Shore
F Ryan Malone
F Ryan Lasch
F Robbie Earl
F Garrett Roe
D Tom Gilbert
D Ryan Gunderson
D Noah Welch
D Matt Gilroy
D Jonathon Blum
D Matt Donovan
D Mark Stuart
D Dylan Reese
D Mike Lundin
D Bobby Sanguinetti
D Chad Billins
Glad to see Sanguinetti make the squad
Pretty sure this squad could beat the Rangers right now
Nice, Hal! Your comment is classic. Keep it up, Man, because everyone can use more humor.