USA Hockey announces roster for 2018 Olympic

01 Jan 2018Davide Tuniz»

Coach Tony Granato called 23 players, almost all from European leagues. Veteran Brian Gionta will serve as captain

USA Hockey unveiled the roster of National Team for 2018 Olympics during the second intermission of the NHL Winter Classic in New York City, for the first time since 1994 without the NHL players, even if 15 on the 23 players selected have previous NHL experience, Captain Brian Gionta, currently without a contract, is the lone player with Olympic experience, having played for Team USA in 2006 Turin Olympics. At now, coach Granato selected only one goaltender, the remaining two will be added by mid-January

Besides AHL represented by 3 players and NCAA with 4 calls, almost all players act in Europe, with KHL (5 players), and Swiss National League (4) as the most represented.

“We really like our roster,” said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team “It’s a group that brings versatility and experience and includes players who have a lot of passion about representing our country.”

USA will open its quest for the medals on February 14 against Slovenia.

GOALTENDERS (1)

Ryan Zapolski Jokerit Helsinki (KHL)

DEFENSEMEN (8)

Chad Billins Linköping HC (SHL)

Jonathon Blum Admiral Vladivostok (KHL)

Will Borgen. Cloud State University (NCHC)

Matt Gilroy Jokerit Helsinki (KHL)

Ryan Gunderson Brynäs IF (SHL)

Bobby Sanguinetti HC Lugano (National League)

Noah Welch Växjö Lakers (SHL)

James Wisniewski EC Kassel Huskies (DEL2)