After a sour fourth-place finish in Sochi, Team USA will attempt to channel the glory of 1996 when the World Cup of Hockey makes its return next fall.
Twenty years ago, Brett Hull & Co. rolled to convincing victory over Canada in the inaugural World Cup, and the 2016 head coach has high expectations for his squad.
“We need to get our mind-set straight that we’re going to try to win this thing,” John Tortorella said in a TV interview upon being named the U.S. bench boss.
Tortorella’s players — 20 skaters and three goaltenders — will be chosen by general manager Dean Lombardi in consult with Paul Holmgren (assistant GM), Brian Burke (senior advisor) and Jim Johannson (director of hockey operations). All players must be 24 years or older on Oct. 1, 2016. If not, they’re eligible to join Team North America.
Player selections will be made in March, and we foresee a few older members of the Sochi roster narrowly losing spots to hungry up-and-comers.
MORE: Team Canada’s Projected Roster / Team “Young Guns” Projected Roster
Here is our projected Team USA roster for the international tournament, set to begin Sept. 17, 2016 in Toronto.
(Note: Player’s age as of Oct. 1, 2016 is listed in brackets.)
FORWARD
Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins (28)
Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild (32)
Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks (32)
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks (27)
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens (27)
Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning (26)
James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs (27)
Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks (32)
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets (30)
David Backes, St. Louis Blues (32)
Ryan Callahan, Tampa Bay Lightning (31)
Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets (28)
Derek Stepan, New York Rangers (26)
Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers (24)
On the bubble (a.k.a. outrageous snubs): Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Chris Kreider, Bobby Ryan, Dustin Brown
DEFENCE
Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild (31)
Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers (27)
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes (24)
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues (27)
Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets (31)
Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche (28)
On the bubble (a.k.a. outrageous snubs): Keith Yandle, Nick Leddy, John Carlson, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin
GOAL
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (30)
Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils (30)
Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning (29)
On the bubble (a.k.a. outrageous snubs): Ryan Miller, Craig Anderson, Jimmy Howard
