Bill Guerin, the General Manager of the U.S. men’s hockey team, finalized the roster ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. His management team met in Minnesota under challenging weather conditions to put together the final squad.
Final Roster Selections and Management Team
Guerin expressed confidence in his team’s choices, highlighting the importance of diverse opinions within the management group. The team consists of:
- Pat Kelleher – USA Hockey Executive Director
- John Vanbiesbrouck – Assistant Executive Director, USA Hockey
- Stan Bowman – GM, Edmonton Oilers
- Chris Drury – GM, New York Rangers
- Tom Fitzgerald – GM, New Jersey Devils
- Chris Kelleher – Assistant GM, Minnesota Wild
- Bill Zito – GM, Florida Panthers
- Mike Sullivan – Head Coach, New York Rangers
The finalized roster includes 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders. The deadline for submission is approaching, with the U.S. team set to be publicly announced on NBC’s “Today” show.
Key Players and Expected Challenges
Among the notable players on the preliminary roster are:
- Auston Matthews (likely captain)
- Jack Eichel
- Matthew Tkachuk
- Brady Tkachuk
However, several key players, including Matthews and Eichel, are currently dealing with injuries. Guerin recognizes the potential for more players to be sidelined as the tournament approaches, urging all selected players to stay ready for possible last-minute changes.
Team Strategy and Selection Criteria
Guerin emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team rather than simply assembling a roster of star players. He noted that successful Olympic teams require players who can execute defensive roles. The U.S. team aims for a balance of skill and defensive capability, as demonstrated in their performance during the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
He acknowledged that there would be debates and potential criticism regarding player selections, especially when talented players might miss the cut. This year’s roster has already seen some expected omissions.
Projected Roster Breakdown
The projected roster includes:
Forwards
- Already named: Matthews, Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk
- Additional forwards: Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Dylan Larkin, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, Vincent Trocheck
Defensemen
- Already named: Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy
- Additional defensemen: Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Seth Jones, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski
Goalies
- Projected goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman
Guerin remains focused on the goal of delivering a gold medal-winning team, acknowledging the hard decisions that come with the territory. His leadership and clear vision for the team will be pivotal as they prepare for the challenges of the Winter Olympics.
