May
19, 2004
The
World Cup Runneth Amok
USA Hockey
announces the players who will comprise the country's roster for
this summer's World Cup Thursday. We couldn't wait, however, so
the INCH staff put its heads together and compiled its selections
for the U.S. team.
You'll see
some familiar names on our list, but we went out on a limb and
tabbed some fresh faces, too. And as always, the college ranks
are heavily represented. See if you agree with our choices.
GOALTENDERS |
| Player |
NHL
Team |
Statistics |
| Ty
Conklin |
Edmonton |
17-14-4,
2.42, .917 |
| Robert
Esche |
Philadelphia |
21-11-7,
2.04, .915 |
| Rick
DiPietro |
N.Y.
Islanders |
23-18-5,
2.36, .911 |
| American
goaltending is only slightly more impressive than, say, American
table tennis, although it's good enough to give Team USA a
shot at the World Cup title. Esche, the only one still alive
in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has to be the favorite to start,
with a couple of Hockey East alums behind him. Two years ago
we would have had Ryan Miller in this mix, but as DiPietro
could tell him, sometimes it takes goalies a little while
to develop. |
DEFENSEMEN |
| Player |
NHL
Team |
Statistics |
| Chris
Chelios |
Detroit |
69
GP, 2-19—21 |
| Hal
Gill |
Boston |
82
GP, 2-7—9 |
| Sean
Hill |
Carolina |
80
GP, 13-26—39 |
| Brian
Leetch |
Toronto |
72
GP, 15-36—51 |
| Jordan
Leopold |
Calgary |
82
GP, 9-24—22 |
| Paul
Martin |
New
Jersey |
70
GP, 6-18—24 |
| Brian
Rafalski |
New
Jersey |
69
GP, 6-30—36 |
| Mathieu
Schneider |
Detroit |
78
GP, 14-32—46 |
| The
times, they are a-changin' on the blue line for the U.S. Two
years ago in Salt Lake City, venerable defensemen such as
Chelios, Phil Housley and Gary Suter were key performers.
Chelios is still hanging around but the 2006 Olympics will
likely be his swan song. Brian Rafalski leads the new breed
of American defensemen – smaller, mobile skaters who
don't shirk their responsibilities in their own end. Former
Michigan State star John-Michael Liles, now with the Colorado
Avalanche, fits that mold and will likely be a fixture on
future U.S. teams. |
FORWARDS |
| Player |
NHL
Team |
Statistics |
| Tony
Amonte |
Philadelphia |
80
GP, 20-33—53 |
| Craig
Conroy |
Calgary |
63
GP, 8-39—47 |
| Chris
Drury |
Buffalo |
76
GP, 18-35—53 |
| Scott
Gomez |
New
Jersey |
80
GP, 14-56—70 |
| Bill
Guerin |
Dallas |
82
GP, 34-35—69 |
| Brett
Hull |
Detroit |
81
GP, 25-43—68 |
| Steve
Konowalchuk |
Colorado |
82
GP, 19-21—40 |
| John
LeClair |
Philadelphia |
75
GP, 23-32—55 |
| Mike
Modano |
Dallas |
76
GP, 14-30—44 |
| Jeremy
Roenick |
Philadelphia |
62
GP, 19-28—47 |
| Brian
Rolston |
Boston |
82
GP, 19-29—48 |
| Keith
Tkachuk |
St.
Louis |
75
GP, 33-38—71 |
| Doug
Weight |
St.
Louis |
75
GP, 14-51—65 |
| Mike
York |
Edmonton |
61
GP, 16-26—42 |
| Where
have we seen these names before? Every U.S. international
team since, oh, 1988 it seems like. But the old guard keeps
producing, for the most part, and the one who didn’t
this year – Modano – is arguably Team USA’s
best pure talent. Younger college guys like York and Conroy
lend some new blood to the Amontes, Hulls, Guerins and LeClairs
of the world, along with some much-needed two-way play. Others
who might get a sniff include Erik Cole (Clarkson), Ryan Malone
(St. Cloud State) and
Jeff Halpern (Princeton). |
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