Is Team USA going to be THE best program in the world by 2014?

[Trapt1307 81]

Much like Brett Hull, though in reverse.

Except Hull originally wanted to play for Canada and they gave him the finger. That's why I don't understand why Canadians always used to act like Hull was some kind of traitor because he played for the US.

[redeyedwings 2]

I absolutely love how Americans are like "harumph, Tyler Myers is from Texas but plays for Canada? Booooooooo!" and in the same breath can mention 24 year old Paul Stastny, their top-line center, as a cornerstone of USA hockey for years to come.

This is an excellent point.

As to the topic at hand ... c'mon guys. The USA program is good, but don't go feeling yourself too much just yet.

Can I start listing the Canadian kids who are very, very young and will be welcomed to the team in 2014?

Myers (yep, he's on our side)

Steven Stamkos (oh yeah, he's not bad)

John Tavares (also a decent player)

Taylor Hall (this year's No. 1 pick)

Matt Duchene (this year's leading rookie scorer)

Drew Doughty (right, he's on the team and contending for the Norris at age 20)

That was off the top of my head. There are more ... plenty more ... out there.

I don't want to take anything away from what is a much, much improved USA program, and they should now be considered one of the world's best hockey nations. But the BEST program in the world? Even if they win gold at these Olympics, they won't be considered the best, nor will they be the favourite in 2014, I can promise you that.

[Guest blueadams]

Good thread. I think you could have left off some of the old-timers...what is Modano doing on there, for example? But yes, 2014, Team USA will be even better. I think it depends on who is GM though, we should get Brian Burke to come back. Hes assembled a great squad.

i just listed all of the players that were invited to the orientation camp but not selected...and then some other guys that have been stepping it up lately as well.

[Konnan511 1,736]

In 2014 we have an excellent chance at getting a Bronze. Anything after that would be nice.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

I absolutely love how Americans are like "harumph, Tyler Myers is from Texas but plays for Canada? Booooooooo!" and in the same breath can mention 24 year old Paul Stastny, their top-line center, as a cornerstone of USA hockey for years to come.

Paul Stastny was only in Quebec for a short period of time, then moved to New Jersey, then St. Louis, and went to junior high and high school in Nebraska. Once again, Tyler Myers was born and raised in Texas for 10 frickin years before he moved to Canada. Not the same situation at all.

[Original-Six 254]

This is an excellent point.

As to the topic at hand ... c'mon guys. The USA program is good, but don't go feeling yourself too much just yet.

Can I start listing the Canadian kids who are very, very young and will be welcomed to the team in 2014?

Myers (yep, he's on our side)

Steven Stamkos (oh yeah, he's not bad)

John Tavares (also a decent player)

Taylor Hall (this year's No. 1 pick)

Matt Duchene (this year's leading rookie scorer)

Drew Doughty (right, he's on the team and contending for the Norris at age 20)

That was off the top of my head. There are more ... plenty more ... out there.

I don't want to take anything away from what is a much, much improved USA program, and they should now be considered one of the world's best hockey nations. But the BEST program in the world? Even if they win gold at these Olympics, they won't be considered the best, nor will they be the favourite in 2014, I can promise you that.

2010 under 17 World Champions-USA

2009(2010 yet to be played) Under 18 World Champions -USA

2010 Under 20 World Champions -USA

looks like the USA also has some good players coming up. Not to mention they already have the youngest team in the Olympics. USA hockey's future is looking bright.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Original-Six

[zettie85 106]

Paul Stastny was only in Quebec for a short period of time, then moved to New Jersey, then St. Louis, and went to junior high and high school in Nebraska. Once again, Tyler Myers was born and raised in Texas for 10 frickin years before he moved to Canada. Not the same situation at all.

It is the same type of situation. Myers did not start playing real competitive hockey until he came to Canada and played at Notre Dame. If he was to have stayed in Texas I doubt he would be the player he is today.

[Serapth 3]

Isn't the state of things in the World Juniors a pretty good indication of how each country's development program is working. I mean, a lot of the players currently active on both teams were in the 2006-2009 WJC.

[zettie85 106]

2010 under 17 World Champions-USA

2009(2010 yet to be played) Under 18 World Champions -USA

2010 Under 20 World Champions -USA

looks like the USA also has some good players coming up. Not to mention they already have the youngest team in the Olympics. USA hockey's future is looking bright.

This could be the start of something great for you guys or it could also just be a hard working bunch of kids who will lose it after awhile. Those are great championships to win butmaybe in 2 years if you have the same success I will start to buy in. Consistency is lacking right from your argument. You very well could be right though.

Edited February 26, 2010 by zettie85

[mad dingo 6]

2010 under 17 World Champions-USA

2009(2010 yet to be played) Under 18 World Champions -USA

2010 Under 20 World Champions -USA

looks like the USA also has some good players coming up. Not to mention they already have the youngest team in the Olympics. USA hockey's future is looking bright.

2010 under 17 World Champions - Canada is split into 5 teams. I am sure that if we had just one team that the outcome would be very different.

2010 Under 20 World Champions. Last 7 years - Canada 5 gold, 2 silver.. US - 2 Gold, 1 Bronze.

I still like the players the US is putting out, and more importantly I like the players personalities. No one I really cant stand besides Kane. Back in the day I hated most of the players the US put out. (Roenick, Hatcher, Guerin, Amonte.......etc)

Edited February 26, 2010 by mad dingo

[IceMunkee 15]

Unfortunately Gary Bettman wants to stop NHL players from participating in the 2014 Olympics. Which would mean USA would stink compared to the rest of the world.

[Serapth 3]

Unfortunately Gary Bettman wants to stop NHL players from participating in the 2014 Olympics. Which would mean USA would stink compared to the rest of the world.

My hope is Gary Bettman is gone by 2014 and what he wants doesnt matter.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Serapth

[Original-Six 254]

My hope is Gary Bettman is gone by 2014 and what he wan'ts doesnt matter.

:beerbuddy:

[newfy 695]

2010 under 17 World Champions-USA

2009(2010 yet to be played) Under 18 World Champions -USA

2010 Under 20 World Champions -USA

looks like the USA also has some good players coming up. Not to mention they already have the youngest team in the Olympics. USA hockey's future is looking bright.

The under 18 and 17 championships Canada doesn't send a team they send province teams. I remember watching one of them and the USA beat team Ontario for the gold not team Canada so I wouldn't feel too big about that. The world juniors this year you won, congrats but how many eligible players did you have already in the NHL? Canada had like 9

The states aren't much younger then Canada. Canada has an older defense but all of the forwards except for Iginla and Morrow are just coming into their prime. The states are a force to be reckoned with but Canada is still the place for hockey.