Monday, July 22, 2013

Alums Among Olympic Hopefuls

Dozens of former college players among those in contention for U.S., Canadian and Swedish Olympic teams.


Alums Among Olympic Hopefuls
David Backes is among the 33 former college players invited to Team USA’s Olympic Orientation Camp.

Forty-three former NCAA hockey players have been invited to Olympic Orientation Camps in the U.S., Canada and Sweden this fall in advance of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The vast majority of invitees to the United States camp, to be held Aug. 26-27 in Arlington, Va., have U.S. college ties. Thirty-three of the 48 players invited developed in NCAA hockey.

U.S. Roster | USA Hockey Announcement

Six members of Canada’s Olympic orientation roster played U.S. college hockey: Dan Boyle (Miami), Duncan Keith (Michigan State), Chris Kunitz (Ferris State), Patrick Sharp (Vermont), Martin St. Louis (Vermont) and Jonathan Toews (North Dakota). The Swedish camp will feature just 35 players, four of whom played college hockey: Erik Gustafsson (Northern Michigan), Carl Hagelin (Michigan), Douglas Murray (Cornell) and Gustav Nyquist (Maine).

The 2014 Games will mark the fifth time that NHL players will participate in the Olympics. In 2010 in Vancouver, former college players were named the tournament’s best goaltender (Ryan Miller), defenseman (Brian Rafalski) and forward (Jonathan Toews).

The 43 former college players invited to 2014 camps represent 21 schools, led by Minnesota (7) and Wisconin (6). Others with multiple players invited: Michigan (4); Michigan State and North Dakota (3); Boston College, Denver, Maine and Vermont (2).

Former NCAA Players Invited to Olympic Orientation Camps

U.S. Goaltenders
Jimmy Howard Detroit Red Wings Maine
Ryan Miller Buffalo Sabres Michigan State
Jonathan Quick Los Angeles Kings Massachusetts
Cory Schneider New Jersey Devils Boston College
U.S. Defensemen
Dan DeKeyser Detroit Red Wings Western Michigan
Justin Faulk Carolina Hurricanes Minnesota Duluth
Jake Gardiner Toronto Maple Leafs Wisconsin
Erik Johnson Colorado Avalanche Minnesota
Jack Johnson Columbus Blue Jackets Michigan
Nick Leddy Chicago Blackhawks Minnesota
Paul Martin Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota
Ryan McDonagh New York Rangers Wisconsin
Brooks Orpik Pittsburgh Penguins Boston College
Kevin Shattenkirk St. Louis Blues Boston University
Ryan Suter Minnesota Wild Wisconsin
Jacob Trouba Winnipeg Jets Michigan
U.S. Forwards
Justin Abdelkader Detroit Red Wings Michigan State
David Backes St. Louis Blues Minnesota State
Beau Bennett Pittsburgh Penguins Denver
Nick Bjugstad Florida Panthers Minnesota
Ryan Kesler Vancouver Canucks Ohio State
Phil Kessel Toronto Maple Leafs Minnesota
Kyle Okposo New York Islanders Minnesota
T.J. Oshie St. Louis Blues North Dakota
Max Pacioretty Montreal Canadiens Michigan
Kyle Palmieri Anaheim Ducks Notre Dame
Zach Parise Minnesota Wild North Dakota
Joe Pavelski San Jose Sharks Wisconsin
Craig Smith Nashville Predators Wisconsin
Paul Stastny Colorado Avalanche Denver
Derek Stepan New York Rangers Wisconsin
James van Riemsdyk Toronto Maple Leafs New Hampshire
Blake Wheeler Winnipeg Jets Minnesota
Canada
Dan Boyle San Jose Sharks Miami
Duncan Keith Chicago Blackhawks Michigan State
Chris Kunitz Pittsburgh Penguins Ferris State
Patrick Sharp Chicago Blackhawks Vermont
Martin St. Louis Tampa Bay Lightning Vermont
Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks North Dakota
Sweden
Erik Gustafsson Philadelphia Flyers Northern Michigan
Carl Hagelin New York Rangers Michigan
Douglas Murray Pittsburgh Penguins Cornell
Gustav Nyquist Detroit Red Wings Maine