Posts Tagged ‘Team USA’

Olympic Hockey Day One, And Two Sent To Purgatory

February 16th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Of the only teams that matter to Blackhawk fans (USA, Canada and Slovakia) on the first day of competition Team USA and Team Canada are in actions. The Americans will play Switzerland and the Canadians will play Norway. Patrick Kane will lineup with Zach Parise and Paul Stastny for Team USA. Jonathan Toews will lineup at center between Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla for Team Canada – that should be interesting. The internet connection at the hotel blows. It’s taking to long to find anything definitive regarding Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, but I can’t see them not suiting up for any game.

Back to Purgatory They Go –

Bryan Bickell and Jake Dowell were reassigned to Rockford after Sunday’s game in Columbus. Both Bickell and Dowell got on the scoresheet in that game. Bickell scored a goal, and Dowell had one goal and one assist in the 5-4 shootout victory. Subsequently, Adam Hobson was reassigned to the Toledo Walleye today.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Olympic Profile: Patrick Kane (USA)

February 9th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Kane addresses media at training camp

This is the fifth installment of player profiles for the six Blackhawks that will represent their nation at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. It’s now Patrick Kanes’ turn. Stay tuned for the final installment later this week, and feel free to comment below. Previous Olympic Profiles: Tomas Kopecky, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews.

Birthplace – Buffalo, New York, United States

International Experience – 2007 World Junior Championships and 2008 World Championships

Like the Canadian Olympic team, the American general manager, Brian Burke, opted to overhaul the national team by inserting new blood on the roster. Only two players remain from the 2006 roster – defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Chris Drury. On paper Team USA isn’t a favorite to place in the 2010 roster, but Burke is in the process of building an Olympic team that will be successful down the road. That is evident in the fact that only five players are over the age of thirty. The twenty-one year old Patrick Kane is a large part of the rebuilding, and is one of the few recognizable faces on Team USA.

Kane’s baby-faced mug is as recognizable to many hockey fans for more then just his on-ice performance. He was the cover boy for EA’s NHL10, his night out in Buffalo with cousin James resulted in his arrest for his altercation with a taxi driver and his recent shirtless limo ride through the streets of Vancouver. Kane has shown this season that he hasn’t allowed for any non-hockey related issues affect his play of the ice. If you weren’t paying attention he leads the Blackhawks in goals (22) and assists (40). Kane will do his talking on the ice when the Vancouver media presses him about pictures that surfaced after his last visit to the city.

Anyway, Kane is one of the better offensive talents on the American national team. He was a lock to make the squad, and should see time on the top line due to his playmaking and scoring ability. Kane should be used on the power play as well.

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2010 WJC Over, 2010 Winter Games Next

January 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Team USA wins gold

Well, Canada lost to the United States 6-5 in the gold medal game of the World Junior Championships in a barnburner. Edmonton Oiler’s prospect Jordan Eberle scored two goals in the final minutes of the game to tie it at 5-5 and take it to overtime. Sadly, the Canadians let this one get away from them when Washington Capital’s prospect John Carlson scored 4:31 into overtime. Team USA’s victory snapped the Team Canada’s gold medal streak at five.

The Swedes won bronze beating Switzerland 11-4 in their match-up. Blackhawks prospect Marcus Kruger had two assists and a plus/minus of +2 for the game. In Team Sweden’s six games, Kruger tallied six assists, two penalty minutes and had a plus/minus of +7.

Can’t wait till the 2010 Winter Games start, and my obsession with international hockey starts all over again.

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Kane Named To Team USA, Byfuglien Left Out

January 1st, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

It was leaked earlier in the day by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers that Dustin Byfuglien was not included in the Brian Burke’s plans for the American Olympic team. As expected Patrick Kane was named to Team USA. This brings the Blackhawks total to six players participating in the Winter Games.

Team USA (1) – Patrick Kane

Team Slovakia (2) – Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky

Team Canada (3) – Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook

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Hossa And Kopecky Named To Slovakian Olympic Team

December 29th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

A couple Blackhawks got some good news today. Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky were selected to the Slovakian Olympic hockey team. They are the first Blackhawks chosen to represent their country at the Winter Games in Vancouver.

No one will question Hossa’s addition to the roster. The choice of picking Kopecky to the team might surprise many since he hasn’t done anything of value with Chicago, but he is one of the few Slovakian players in the NHL. Only two Slovakian NHL players didn’t make the team – Marek Svatos and Boris Valabik. When Czechoslovakia split in 1993, most of the hockey talent resided in the Czech Republic.

Team Canada will announce their Olympic squad tomorrow morning, and Team USA will announce theirs New Years Day during the Winter Classic broadcast.

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