Three Penguins to attend American Olympic camp; Malkin to Russian camp
By Larry Snyder
USA Hockey, which has already named Ray Shero of the Pens as assistant general manager and Dan Bylsma of the Black and Gold as coach of its 2014 Olympic team, will invite 48 players to the Washington Capitals’ practice facility in Arlington, Va., from Aug. 26-27 for an orientation camp.
Pittsburgh forward Beau Bennett and defensemen Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik will join their head coach, hoping for a spot in the final roster. The NHL recently announced its players. coaches and executives will participate in next February’s Olympics in Russia.
June 5, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) hits Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) along the boards during the third period in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Also on the invitation list are: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild; Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres; Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings; Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks; and Jack Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who, along with Orpik, were members of the 2010 silver medal team at the Vancouver games.
The 2014 Winter Olympic Tournament will run from Feb. 12-23 in Sochi, Russia. The size of the Olympic teams have been increased from 23 members to 25 for the tournament. It is being reported that the Americans are thinking about a possible roster breakdown of 13 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.
From The Clipboard: Brandon Saad, from Gibsonia, Pa., a member of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, has also been invited to Team USA’s camp.
Hockey Canada’s Olympic camp is set for Aug. 25-28 in Calgary, Alberta. The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby along with Kris Letang, James Neal, and Chris Kunitz will be among a group of 47 players invited to the orientation.
Detroit’s Mike Babcock has been named the head coach for the Canadian National Men’s Team with three associate coaches in Ken Hitchcock of the Blues, Claude Julien of the Bruins, and Lindy Ruff of the Stars.
The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin is on the 35-player roster for Team Russia. The list of players will be pared down to 25 beginning at their orientation camp on August 23-24. Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, who competed for Russia from 1973 to 1988, will be the head coach for the squad.