GM Of US Men’s Olympic Team We Have Done The Work For You- Here’s EBR’s Team USA
When Biz made the call that the NHL players should not go to the Olympics we immediately started digging in on the best USA roster we could put together. We wanted to save Team USA GM John Vanbiesbrouk some time and there is nobody in the world more in touch with the European hockey scene than the EBR crew. We gamble on every league and crush them all. The college scene is not on our radar usually until the tourney, but for the seriousness of this blog, phone calls were made and found the most likely candidates out of the NCAA to make the squad.
USA hockey loves to add a bunch of young guys to the team to “gain that experience” for future events down the road. A great mix of youth and veterans upfront and on the backend. In goal we could look very young and inexperienced at the top levels, can we dream that the Panthers let Spencer Knight go?
The coaches have been named and now here are the players we would like to see make the team.
Forwards:
Ryan Lasch - European legend currently playing for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.
Brian O’Neil - Mr. Helsinki does it all for Jokerit and will be a huge part of the team.
Andy Miele - Former Hobey Baker winner is consistently on the score sheet for Torpedo KHL.
Kenny Agostino - Winger on Miele’s line for Torpedo in KHL has put up huge numbers.
Matty Berniers - The #2 overall pick of the Kraken is playing for the University of Michigan will be a lock on every Team USA the rest of his career.
Carter Camper - Former AHL all-star is putting up points every night for Leksands in the SHL.
Marc Arcobello - Veteran of the 2018 games, this guy is a point sniffer wherever he plays. Currently in Lugano of the Swiss League.
Broc Little - Returning Olympian, small forward dominates in Sweden every year.
Jordan Schroeder - Former 1st rounder has been solid every year in the KHL for Jokerit.
Reid Boucher - Gagarin Cup Champion last season for Omsk knows how to win in the big moments.
Nick Shore - 299 NHL games and plays in Sibir of the KHL now, is the depth player with the size every team needs to win.
Brendan Brisson - Son of power agent Pat Brisson, currently playing at Michigan is a big-time prospect and will be a big part of Team USA going forward
Bobby Brink - University Denver junior, won gold at the World Juniors last year and would be a great young guy to gain experience in this competition.
Defensemen:
Steven Kampfert - Owner of 231 NHL games, has been lights out his first year in KHL for Kazan
Jake Sanderson - The #5 overall pick of the Senators currently playing for North Dakota is a must to make the team.
Ryan Gunderson - A European veteran can do it all on the back end. Now in Fribourg of the Swiss league played for the USA in 2018
Nick Ebert - Playing for Orebro in Sweden, has a huge shot and a steady presence on the right side.
Jordan Schmaltz- Former 1st rounder would be a solid 6th D-man on the right side currently playing in HIFK of Finnish SM-Liiga.
Luke Hughes - Younger brother of the two Hughes already in the NHL is the #4 overall pick of the Devils also plays in Michigan.
Scott Morrow - Our dark horse to make the team is currently at Umass Amherst and has done it all in his first year, the next Makar ??
Goalkeepers:
Strauss Mann - After 3 years at Michigan University he left to come to play pro in Sweden for Skellefteå. Everyone questioned the move, but he’s been lights out for them. Was he playing checkers while everyone was playing chess, did he know NHL players wouldn't go to the Olympics now instead of being tied up in some AHL city he's primed to play for the USA in the Olympics.
Jeremy Smith - Has played 3 years for Kunlun Red Star, Olympics in China will be important to have a guy that knows the culture. There’s no goalie in the world who faces more shots them, Smith.
Drew Commesso - Boston University netminder is the future goaltender of the Blackhawks and has been a part of Team USA at every level.
Dryden Mckay - Has been an absolute stud for Minnesota State Mankato and has single-handedly made them a force in college hockey the last few seasons.
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