After the Winter Classic, the US Olympic Committee released their choices for Team USA and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason did not make the cut. The news was not as much as a surprise as the Jussi Jokinen snub, but given the previous remarks that Brian Burke made regarding the preferred strong defensive make up of the team, one has to wonder about the logic of having Jack Johnson on the squad over Gleason.
Johnson is a career (-53) and has never had a season with a plus rating. The defenseman is currently (-11), tied for worst on his club, and the Kings are one of the best teams in the league.
Gleason has the experience of last season's playoffs in his back pocket and is a career (-4). The blueliner is currently (-4) for the last place Hurricanes.
We will see how the decision works out for Team USA.
There are few, if any surprises in the lineup and each of the players selected for defense attended the summer orientation camp. For more information, check out the Team USA site.
Defense:
- Ryan Suter
- Jack Johnson
- Erik Johnson
- Brian Rafalski
- Mike Komisarek
- Paul Martin
- Brooks Orpik
Goalies:
- Ryan Miller
- Tim Thomas
- Jonathan Quick
Forwards:
- Chris Drury
- Jamie Langenbrunner
- David Backes
- Dustin Brown
- Ryan Callahan
- Patrick Kane
- Ryan Kesler
- Phil Kessel
- Ryan Malone
- Zach Parise
- Joe Pavelski
- Bobby Ryan
- Paul Stastny