Blackhawks' Kane named to U.S. Olympic team
It was Patrick Kane's turn to have his dream realized on Friday.
The 21-year-old Blackhawks star was the youngest player named to the 23-man U.S. roster for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Unfortunately for Dustin Byfuglien, he didn't make the cut but was told by U.S. officials he would be seriously considered if there were an injury between now and February.
The young Americans, with an average age of 26, will be heavy underdogs in Vancouver, which is OK with Kane.
"A think a lot of people probably view us as underdogs going into the tournament, but at the same time if you put together the right chemistry and guys get along it can really help us go a long way, especially in a (short) tournament like this when anyone can beat anyone on a given night," Kane said. "Hopefully it's one of those tournaments where we can put things together.
"If you look at some of these other teams they have a lot of superstars and a lot of big names, but sometimes they don't go well together and the chemistry isn't there right away."
The Americans' strength will be goaltenders Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick of the Kings, who got the nod over Barrington High School's Craig Anderson.
The U.S. also features some dangerous offensive threats in Kane, Zach Parise, Paul Stastny, Bobby Ryan and Phil Kessel.
"Everyone who looks at the team probably sees how young we are, but I think we have pretty good size, obviously some good speed, and the goaltending is going to be really strong," Kane said. "With the way coach (Ron) Wilson likes to coach, he seems to be more of an attack guy and wants to score goals, and I think we have the players that can do that."
The biggest question mark for the U.S. is on defense with Brian Rafalski, Erik Johnson, Brooks Orpik, Mike Komisarek, Jack Johnson, Ryan Suter and Paul Martin the seven selected.
"We're going there to win," said U.S. general manager Brian Burke. "We're excited about our chances."
It's definitely a changing of the guard in U.S. hockey with longtime veterans of international competition such as Mike Modano, Bill Guerin, Scott Gomez, Chris Chelios and Keith Tkachuk left off the team.
"You look at a guy like Modano and it probably is tough that he was left off the team, but at the same time it probably is a changing of the guard with the team we have and a lot of younger guys," Kane said. "If you look at the roster there are some veterans like (Chris) Drury, Rafalski, and Thomas is an older guy, too.
"You look at the NHL these days and all the best players in the league are the younger guys anyway; that's the way it is. It's becoming a young man's league, and I think maybe that's why they picked the team that way."
Of the 23 Americans picked for the team, only Rafalski, Drury and Jamie Langenbrunner have Olympic experience.
For Kane, like with many of his Hawks teammates, good things keep happening for him. He recently signed a five-year contract extension worth $31.5 million and now is an Olympian.
"It feels real good right now," Kane said. "My family is real excited for me and all my friends. It's a dream come true. I mean, it's the Olympics were talking about, probably the highest stage of hockey you can play and highest competition level, too."
The other forwards making the team were Ryan Kesler, Ryan Malone, Dustin Brown, David Backes, Ryan Callahan and Joe Pavelski.
It likely came down to Drury, Callahan and Backes making it over Byfuglien.
"I am pretty surprised, to be honest with you," Kane said of Byfuglien's omission. "He's having a really good year and has played really good of late and could probably be used in various ways on the team.
"You feel bad for him because he probably deserved to be there, but sometimes it doesn't work out. Hopefully he comes one way or another."
Blackhawks @ St. Louis Blues
When: 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN 720-AM
What to watch: Blues coach Andy Murray's job may be hanging by a thread following another home loss Thursday to Vancouver. The Blues are 1-7-2 in their last 10 at Scottrade Center and 5-13-3 for the season. They blew a 3-goal lead against the Canucks for the third time in the last six home games.
Season series: Hawks lead 1-0, beating the Blues 3-0 at the United Center on Dec. 16 behind Cristobal Huet.
Next: Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, 6 p.m. Sunday
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