United States
Outlook: The U.S. can match up with the best countries in the world when it comes to forwards—Mike Modano, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick, Brett Hull, John LeClair—but is suspect on defense. Youngsters like Carolina’s David Tanabe or Edmonton’s Tom Poti could crack the roster and play regularly; those players would not get consideration from Canada, for instance. The larger Olympic ice surface plagued a big but not too mobile defense in 1998, and the advanced age of key defensemen like Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios could be a factor as well.
Key Player: Goalie Mike Richter (New York Rangers) is all but assured of being the starter and he will have to play to top form to get this club deep into the medal round. Richter has been outstanding after undergoing another major knee surgery last season and his play led the U.S. to the championship of the 1996 World Cup. Should he falter there are few experienced backups to rely on.
Hometown Heroes: Washington Capitals forwards Steve Konowalchuk and Jeff Halpern entered this season as top candidates for the team but Konowalchuk will not recover from shoulder surgery in time for the tournament and Halpern, a Potomac native, has struggled this season without Konowalchuk on the ice, making him a serious longshot to be selected.
Olympic medal count: 2 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze.
In 1998: Sixth, with a 1-3 record.
Selection deadline: Dec. 22.
Preliminary schedule:
• Feb. 15 vs. Finland
• Feb. 16 vs. Russia
• Feb. 18 vs. qualifier
• Quarterfinals begin Feb. 20.
Olympics