U.S. Olympic Men’s and Women’s Rosters Revealed

Yesterday afternoon, amidst a picture perfect snow day in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Hockey unveiled the teams they will bring to Sochi next month for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The announcements were made during festivities at the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, held at Michigan Stadium.

In front of a world-record crowd and even more fans watching at home, the final selections for the women’s team were introduced during the 2nd intermission of the game. Frozen fans who stuck around after the Leafs’ shootout win were treated to the announcement of the 25 players that will make up the men’s team. Both groups of Americans fell four years ago to Canada in their respective gold medal games, and these men and women are undoubtedly determined to come back with a vengeance in Sochi.

Men’s Roster Studded with 13 Olympians

Four years ago, the United States fielded an ice hockey team with only 3 members having prior Olympic experience. This time around, more than half of the men’s team can put the Winter Games on their resume. Thirteen members of the 2010 squad have made this year’s team. They will all remember the bittersweet run of Team USA in Vancouver.

Ryan Miller, MVP of the 2010 tournament, will reprise his role as one of the 3 American goalies along with Jonathan Quick, who was also a member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Patrick Kane is another returning United States Olympian. American fans will recall Zach Parise’s game-tying heroics in the dying seconds of the last gold medal game and will get the chance to see him again in Sochi. Phil Kessel will be rejoining his sister, Amanda, on the Olympic stage as both siblings were chosen to represent their country. Also returning to the Olympic team will be David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Ryan Kesler, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Brooks Orpik, and Ryan Suter.

“We went through a very thorough process to get to today and could not be happier with the team we’ve selected,” said David Poile, general manager of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “We’re fortunate to have probably the deepest talent pool we’ve ever had in our country and that made for some very difficult decisions. In the end, however, we’re confident we’ve selected a group of players that puts us in the best position to have success in Sochi.”

Poile has already established 5 players he expects to play leadership roles in Sochi, including David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Team USA’s captain and alternate captains are yet to be determined.

Newcomers to the Olympic Winter Games chosen to represent Team USA include T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler, John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jimmy Howard. A lack of Olympic experience does not mean these men have never competed internationally, however. In fact, all 25 members of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team have played for the red, white, and blue at some level in their careers. Team USA represent no less than 17 NHL teams.

“We appreciate the work done by David (Poile) and all those involved in putting this roster together,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “We look forward to what will be a great Olympics in Sochi, where hockey will be at the center of attention.”

2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team
Forwards (14)
David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny. Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler
Defensemen (8)
John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter
Goaltenders (3)
Jimmy Howard, Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick

2014 Olympic Winter Games
Game Schedule for U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team
Feb. 13-23 • Sochi, Russia

21 World Champion Women wearing Stars and Stripes in Sochi

Twenty-one women were named as members of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. Among them are 11 Olympic veterans, including Julie Chu, who will be making her fourth appearance at the Winter Games. In addition to Chu, the 10 additional players with Olympic experience on the U.S. roster include Kacey Bellamy, Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight, Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux, Gigi Marvin, Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle, Molly Schaus, Kelli Stack, and Jessie Vetter, who all played in 2010. All 21 players have competed in an International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, including 18 who captured a gold medal last April to propel the United States to the No. 1 ranking in the world.

“Today is an important day for our team and we’re thrilled to continue our journey toward Sochi,” said Katey Stone, head coach for Team USA. “We have a good blend of veterans and first-time Olympians and we’re excited about what lies ahead. We’re enthusiastic about our team and focused on getting better every day.”

“We’re excited to officially announce our roster,” said Reagan Carey, general manager for Team USA and also USA Hockey’s director of women’s hockey. “We had some very tough decisions, but we’re confident that we have assembled 21 players that will help us achieve our goal of winning the gold medal. These players have fully dedicated themselves and have earned this opportunity. We’d also like to acknowledge and thank those players who did not make the team. They have contributed greatly to the advancement of the team.”

The U.S. Women have medaled in all four Olympic appearances since the addition of Women’s Ice Hockey to the Olympic Winter Games in 1998 during which they won gold. The women won silver in 2002 and 2010, and bronze in 2006.

2014 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team
Forwards (11)
Alex Carpenter, Julie Chu, Kendall Coyne, Brianna Decker, Meghan Duggan, Lyndsey Fry, Amanda Kessel, Hilary Knight, Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux, Kelli Stack
Defensemen (7)
Kacey Bellamy, Megan Bozek, Gigi Marvin, Michelle Picard, Josephine Pucci, Anne Schleper, Lee Stecklein
Goaltenders (3)
Brianne McLaughlin, Molly Schaus, Jessie Vetter

2014 Olympic Winter Games
Game Schedule for U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team
Feb. 8-20 • Sochi, Russia

Note: Rosters are subject to approval of U.S. Olympic Committee’s Game Preparation Division
Photographs from USAHockey.com