Projecting Team USA's men's hockey roster at the 2018 Olympics
The NHL announced Monday that it won't participate in the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. So, with American-born stars such as Auston Matthews and Patrick Kane seemingly unable to participate, the roster will look vastly different than expected.
Team USA will be a mix of former NHLers skating overseas and players having great seasons in the AHL. The following names will likely draw one of two reactions:
1) Oh, I remember him.
2) Who is that guy?
Note: Only AHL players with fewer than 10 games played in the NHL over the past two seasons were considered. Players signed to entry-level contracts were excluded as well.
Forwards
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Agostino | Wade Megan | Cole Schneider |
| Ryan Stoa | Chad Rau | Dan Sexton |
| Broc Little | Chris Mueller | Steve Moses |
| David Booth | T.J. Hensick | Peter Mueller |
| Jeff Taffe |
Agostino and Megan are first and fourth, respectively, in AHL scoring. In fact, they both play for the Chicago Wolves, so the chemistry is already presumably there.
The second line is made up of former NHLers who are shining in the KHL this year. Their experience on the big ice will be crucial.
Some familiar names round out the bottom six, such as Booth and Hensick. Little and Moses haven't played in the NHL, but both have carved out excellent careers overseas.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Defense
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| T.J. Brennan | Matt Gilroy |
| Matt Taormina | James Wisniewski |
| Sam Lofquist | Jonathon Blum |
| Jake Chelios |
Former Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy will anchor the back end, along with perennial AHL point-producer T.J. Brennan.
Chelios brings a strong American bloodline to the team, though the 26-year-old has yet to play in the NHL.
Goaltending
| G |
|---|
| Troy Grosenick |
| Ryan Zapolski |
| Kyle Hayton |
Grosenick, 27, has a .929 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average in 44 games with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL this year.