Hockey

Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, three-time Olympian Mike Modano and young gun Patrick Kane headline the list of 34 players that USA Hockey has invited to its 2010 Olympic orientation camp this summer.

On Tuesday, USA Hockey released the list of participants for the camp, which will take place Aug. 17-19, at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill, a suburb of Chicago. The roster includes three goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 19 forwards and leaves off many of the older, long-time Team USA stars.

Here is the roster:

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas

Defencemen: 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.

"We're going to be an underdog in Vancouver - there won't be a penny bet on us in Las Vegas," said Brian Burke, the team's general manager. "We'll probably be the youngest team in the tournament, we know that."

Of the 34 players invited to the camp, just five have previous Olympic experience, led by three-time Olympian Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars. Additional Olympians include Chris Drury of the New York Rangers, Brian Rafalski of the Detroit Red Wings, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers, and Jamie Langenbrunner of the New Jersey Devils.

The roster has lots of NHL punch. The 2009 Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins leads a solid goaltending trio. New Jersey Devil Zach Parise led all American NHL players with 45 goals and 94 points during the 2008-09 season. Two No. 1 overall draft picks are also on the list: Erik Johnson of the St. Louis Blues and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Eight players on this invitation list played for the U.S. team at the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Bern, Switzerland, including Ron Hainsey of the Atlanta Thrashers, Jack Johnson and Dustin Brown of the LA Kings, Ryan Suter of the Nashville Predators, David Backes and T.J. Oshie of the St. Louis Blues, Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders, and Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks.

While many big-name Team USA veterans were left off the list, Modano remained.

"Mike's production has fallen off, but his usefulness as a player has not," Burke explained. "His role has changed and he's accepted that cheerfully."

Left off of this list are long-time Team USA players like Bill Guerin, Keith Tkatchuk, Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick and Rick DiPietro. Burke said he attempted to call each of the "warriors", as he calls them, to let them know they wouldn't be on this orientation camp list but that doesn't mean they are totally out of consideration for the Olympic team.

"They all said the same thing, Bill Guerin's response was immediately 'I understand, I've had my turn, I've gone every time they asked me. I'd love to go again, but I understand.' Keith Tkatchuk said the same."

"These guys have had their day in the sun, and I told them we're not closing any doors here. These guys are very much alive. They appreciated that call and said they get it." 

Burke said an additional 50-some players not on this invitation list will follow the WADA anti-doping drug-testing protocols so that they could still be available to be chosen when they announce their final 23-man roster this winter.

"My suspicion is that some of these guys not invited are going to jam it right down my throat, and I welcome that," said Burke, who admits his final roster may very likely include some players not on this invitation list that come on strong during the 2009-10 NHL season. "My prediction is that some of these guys are going to make this hard for us.