Fowler, Kesler, Miller, Howard selected for U.S. Olympic team

By Michael Caples – 

USA Hockey announced their men’s team roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia today, shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Youth hockey players donning the jerseys of Team USA’s representatives were joined on ice by the members of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs who were selected for the squad – Toronto’s Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk and Detroit’s Jimmy Howard.

Three Michigan natives were selected for Team USA – Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills), Ryan Kesler (Livonia) and Ryan Miller (East Lansing).

“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 and also the GM and president of hockey operations for the NHL’s Nashville Predators, in a release. “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.”

Additionally, Michigan connections Max Pacioretty (Michigan Wolverines), Patrick Kane (Honeybaked) and nine NTDP alums were named on the Olympic roster. The NTDP alums are Justin Faulk, Fowler, Howard, Kane, Kesler, Kessel, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter and van Riemsdyk.

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