Devils left wing Zach Parise, defenseman Paul Martin and right wing Jamie Langenbrunner are among the 34 players invited to participate in the U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team orientiation camp from Aug. 17 to 19 in Woodbridge, Ill.
Former Devils Brian Rafalski and Scott Gomez were also invited.
Somewhat surprisingly, three-time Olympian Mike Modano was also invited. Modano, 39, was highly critical of USA Hockey following the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
Keep in mind, however, that a player does not need to be invited to the orientation camp to be selected to the team that will compete in the 2010 Vancouver Games from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28.
Here's the full roster of invitees:
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas
Defensemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney
Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.
WOW am I glad to be Swedish when the Olympics start! What a miserable bunch!
Posted by: Henrik L | June 30, 2009 at 12:21 PM
That's actually a really solid group of players. No comparison in talent to Canada and some European teams obviously, but that's a good group. Hope some of our guys make it.
Posted by: mpf | June 30, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Would rather have Craig Anderson over Jon Quick.
Posted by: frankied | June 30, 2009 at 12:31 PM
@ Henrik L - I bet this miserable bunch gets a medal in this Olympics while your Swedes come in 4th. I think it'll go 1. Canada 2. Russia 3. USA.
LOTS of young talent w/Ryan, Oshie, Parise, Okposo, Kessel, Kane! I guess Callahan's good, but he, Drury and Gomez suck due to their current allegiance afaic.
I also like Hainsey and Scuderi a lot. It will be a good tourney.
Anyone else surprised by the Quick pick? Why not Mason?
Posted by: Maxwell | June 30, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Both Masons are Canadian.
Posted by: mpf | June 30, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I wish the Devils drafted Oshie instead of Bergfors. It would help solve a lot of problems
Posted by: NJSwampdragon | June 30, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Unless I'm forgetting a Mason, both Chris and Scott are Canadian. Quick is a surprise, but you probably figure Thomas and Miller are locks to be the two goalies dressed. Might as well bring a young goalie to sit in the press box and soak in the experience. Although I don't doubt that there's a little favoritism in that Kings GM Dean Lombardi is one of the key lieutenants for Team USA.
Disappointed to see Gionta not get invited, but if there's one thing Team USA has an abundance of, it's small skilled wingers.
Posted by: Don | June 30, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Seriously when have the Swedes become relevant in mens ice hockey in the olympics? 2006, thats it? I would have to look at Swedens list however if I had to guess I would say that the Canadians will kick both the Swedes and Americans butts.
Steve Mason or Craig Anderson > Jon Quick
Posted by: Will in Maine | June 30, 2009 at 12:47 PM
The TSN guys were talking the other day at the draft about how when the Blues drafted Oshie, some people scratched their heads, and now it looks like a really good pick.
Posted by: TG | June 30, 2009 at 12:50 PM
No Clemmer? Going to the World's does not get you invited to camp?
Posted by: ChipArm | June 30, 2009 at 12:58 PM
ChipArm: He went to the 2009 WCs and sat on the bench and watched everything.
I would think he'd get a look, but I can understand why he didn't.
Posted by: John Fischer | June 30, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Not that great of a line up. Bunch of small dudes, but they can skate.
Posted by: Falcone | June 30, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Hmm... here's an article on the picks:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/hockey/news/newsid=12415.html?cid=rsstsn
I like the last line:
"Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson will act as head coach, and his assistant coaches will be New Jersey Devils coach John Tortorella and New York Islanders coach Scott Gordon."
How did we get Tortorella from the Rags? :)
Posted by: Number6 | June 30, 2009 at 01:26 PM
My bad - those Canadians are so wiley... they look just like us!
Posted by: Maxwell | June 30, 2009 at 01:35 PM
I'm surprised that Connolly isn't on the list. He may be made of glass, but when he's healthy that guy can play some freakin hockey. Having Rafalski QB the first PP unit, and Connolly QB the second, would be a scary setup.
Posted by: Josh | June 30, 2009 at 02:18 PM
I love that DiPietro wasn't invited.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Paul Martin on Team USA? Good news for Canada, Russia, Sweden, etc.
Posted by: Morethanyouknow | June 30, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I'm amazed Rob Esche isn't on that list with the way he has played in Russia and for US in the worlds the last two years. Playing against the players who will make up team Russia next year would give him alot of insight.
Posted by: Matt | June 30, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Might as well bring a young goalie to sit in the press box and soak in the experience.
Daniel
Posted by: Direct response services | March 10, 2010 at 02:07 PM