USA Men’s Olympic Hockey Team Announces New Additions
The United States men’s Olympic hockey team has announced the addition of three new players to its roster: Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller, Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, and Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. According to sources close to ESPN, these players will join the team in its pursuit of gold at the upcoming Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Team USA’s general manager, Bill Guerin, who also serves as the GM of the Minnesota Wild, personally called the selected players on Wednesday morning to inform them of their inclusion in the team. Additionally, players who narrowly missed the cut were also contacted, as they may still be needed as injury replacements. The team’s roster is subject to change until the tournament begins on February 11.
Six players had previously been named to the U.S. team: Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, Quinn Hughes, and Jack Eichel. The new additions, Keller, Thompson, and Jones, are notable for their impressive performances in recent games. Keller, for instance, is coming off a career-high 90-point season and is currently tied for the Utah team lead with 33 points through 40 games.
Player Profiles and Achievements
Keller, a 27-year-old St. Louis native, was the No. 7 pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. He has had an emotional season, having lost his father, Bryan, unexpectedly in November. Despite this, Keller has continued to excel on the ice, captaining Team USA to its first gold medal at the world championship in 92 years. Thompson, a versatile 6-foot-6 forward, has scored 18 goals and 34 points in 38 games for the Buffalo Sabres, who are currently on a nine-game winning streak.
Jones, a 31-year-old defenseman, has played 899 NHL games and was a key player in the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup win last season. He led the team in ice time during the postseason and has been recognized for his exceptional skills on the ice. The United States management group, which includes GMs from several NHL teams, has emphasized the importance of attending the world championships as a commitment to the program.
Team USA’s Olympic Aspirations
The United States has not won an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team. However, with the addition of talented players like Keller, Thompson, and Jones, the team is looking to change this narrative. As Jack Eichel stated at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp in September, “The expectation is to go to Milan and win the gold medal. I think anything short of that, it would be disappointing.”
Team USA’s management group, which includes Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito, New York Rangers GM Chris Drury, and Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman, among others, has been working tirelessly to assemble a strong team. The New York Rangers’ Mike Sullivan will coach the team, and longtime NHL coach John Tortorella will serve as an analyst and scout. With a talented roster and experienced coaching staff, Team USA is poised to make a deep run in the Olympics and bring home the gold.
The official announcement of the U.S. men’s, women’s, and paralympic hockey teams will be made on Friday morning during an appearance on “The Today Show.” As the tournament approaches, fans can expect intense competition and exciting matchups. With the addition of Keller, Thompson, and Jones, Team USA is looking stronger than ever, and its chances of winning the gold medal have never been brighter.
