Americans want youth aboard Sochi process
Alex Galchenyuk hadn’t even made his junior hockey debut and Jacob Trouba was still two years away from playing at the University of Michigan when the United States won a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
When the U.S. team gathers for its Sochi Olympics orientation camp next month, the Montreal Canadiens forward and Winnipeg Jets defenceman will be among 16 players born in the 1990s taking part.
And while the likes of Galchenyuk, Trouba, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner and Anaheim Ducks goaltending prospect John Gibson aren’t assured of roster spots, having them there is part of a concerted effort to build for the future.
“We have a little bit different of a philosophy than 2010: We’re inviting a lot of these younger players, really wanted a component of that,” U.S. general manager David Poile said. “I’m not going to lose our focus in terms of what it’s all about, and that’s Sochi.
“But I want them to be around some of these more veteran guys and I want them to be part of it because whether it’s today or somewhere down the road, they’re going to be a big part of it.”
In 2010, then GM Brian Burke, Poile and the U.S. management staff hoped that with a generation of veterans like Keith Tkachuk, Chris Chelios and Mike Modano gone, players like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter could take over. They’re now expected to be the stars, along with Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, the last two Conn Smythe Trophy winners.
What Poile and assistant GM Ray Shero wanted in choosing 48 players for orientation camp was to reward success, specifically on the international stage.
“(Winning) a silver medal in Vancouver certainly represents a certain degree of success for these up-andcoming younger players,” Poile said. “Now they’re in a position where they should be our best players and they should be our leaders.”
Galchenyuk, Trouba and Gibson were part of the U.S. team that won a bronze medal at the world championships in May, as was Florida Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad.
Nashville Predators defenceman Seth Jones, who at 18 is the youngest camp invitee, helped the U.S. win gold at the world junior championship in Ufa, Russia.
Making it to the Washington Capitals’ practice facility in Arlington, Va., next month for camp is no guarantee that any of them make the final, 25man roster. But Poile sees value in having the young players there.
“I want them to be part of this experience and we’ll just see what happens,” he said. “If they’re not better than somebody right now, that’s fine.
The present is built on Parise, Kane, Suter, Quick, Kings captain Dustin Brown and Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers. The future Poile talked so much about during a conference call Tuesday could in- clude Beau Bennett of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kyle Palmieri and Cam Fowler of the Ducks, Zach Bogosian of the Jets and Nick Leddy and Brandon Saad of the Blackhawks.
There are a handful of locks, but Poile said the U.S. roster was “wide open.”
“There’s a lot of guys that played on the 2010 team, based on their body of work, that deserve to be on the 2014 team,” he said. “That’s probably what’s going to happen.
“But we do have a number of spots open, and the good news is we have a lot of quality players that are going to be vying for these few positions. I’d love to see one of these younger players emerge and capture a spot. That would be fabulous.”
They’re at least going to get that chance, though camp won’t be the place to earn a spot.
It could take a strong start for 2010 starter Ryan Miller to return while competing in a group that includes Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson, Cory Schneider, Quick and Gibson.
That’s just one of many “tough decisions” Poile and the U.S. team have to make before Dec. 31.