2010 Winter Olympics Usa Hockey Roster
The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada was a memorable tournament for the USA Hockey team. After finishing sixth in the previous Olympics, the team exceeded expectations by making it to the gold medal game against Canada. While they fell just short of gold, the team's run was no less impressive. Here's a closer look at the roster that helped them make it there:
Forwards
The USA's forward group was led by Patrick Kane, who was just 21 years old at the time but was already a star in the NHL. Kane had a breakout tournament, leading the team in scoring with three goals and two assists. Joining him up front were other future NHL stars like Zach Parise, Ryan Kesler, and Phil Kessel. Parise also had a strong tournament and scored one of the most memorable goals in US hockey history when he tied the gold medal game against Canada with less than a minute to go.
Defensemen
The USA's defense was anchored by Brian Rafalski and Ryan Suter, who were both playing in their second Olympic Games. Rafalski was particularly impressive, scoring four goals in the tournament to tie for the team lead. Meanwhile, Suter played heavy minutes in all situations and was a key part of the team's penalty kill.
Goalies
The USA's goaltending was a question mark heading into the tournament, but Ryan Miller quickly put those concerns to rest. Miller was outstanding throughout the tournament, posting a .946 save percentage and earning three shutouts in six games. His performance was a big reason why the USA was able to make it all the way to the gold medal game.
Coaching Staff
The USA's coaching staff was led by head coach Ron Wilson, who was coaching in his third Olympics. Wilson was known for his offensive-minded approach and it showed in the team's play, as they finished the tournament with the second-most goals scored. He was assisted by a staff that included current NHL coaches like John Tortorella and Scott Gordon.
Final Thoughts
While the USA ultimately fell short of gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics, their run to the gold medal game was still a remarkable achievement. The team was led by a talented group of forwards, anchored by a strong defense and outstanding goaltending, and coached by an experienced staff. It was a team that captured the hearts of American hockey fans and will always be remembered as one of the best in US hockey history.
