Americans go with new-look squad for 2010

It seems the time has arrived for the next generation of American hockey players.

Of the 23 players for the U.S. team who were chosen on Friday following the Winter Classic game at Fenway Park in Boston, only three will have worn the red, white and blue at the Olympics.

'We're excited about our chances.' —Brian Burke, U.S. team's GM

New York Rangers captain Chris Drury, New Jersey counterpart Jamie Langenbrunner, and Detroit defenceman Brian Rafalski will be the only players with Games experience when they take to the ice in the highly anticipated tournament.

Past American locks like Mike Modano, Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin and Scott Gomez will have to watch from the sidelines as the new-look group tries to improve on the eighth-place finish in 2006.

In their place will be 11 Olympic rookie forwards (with their NHL teams in brackets):

• David Backes (St. Louis).
• Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers).
• Dustin Brown (Los Angeles).
• Patrick Kane (Chicago).
• Ryan Kesler (Vancouver).
• Phil Kessel (Toronto).
• Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay).
• Zach Parise (New Jersey).
• Joe Pavelski (San Jose).
• Bobby Ryan (Anaheim).
• Paul Stastny (Colorado).

The infusion of youth is hardly a surprise. The U.S. team's general manager, Brian Burke, of the Toronto Maple Leafs, said last summer that it was time to turn the page on those who represented the United States time and time again on the international stage.

"We're going there to win," said Burke, who thanked the "warriors" who had served for the American squad in the past.

Joining Rafalski on the blue-line will be former New Jersey Devils teammate Paul Martin, who may have been a surprise after breaking his forearm early in the season. Martin also suffered a bit of a setback when it became clear surgery was neccessary and isn't expected back in action for about a month.

Among the other defencemen are:

• Erik Johnson (St. Louis).
• Jack Johnson (Los Angeles).
• Mike Komisarek (Toronto).
• Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh).
• Ryan Suter (Nashville).

There are no surprises when it comes to who will be manning the crease in February's tournament.

Burke named Buffalo's Ryan Miller and the Bruins' Tim Thomas to the squad. Jonathan Quick of the Kings also made the cut.

"The goaltending position was probably the easiest one for us to get through," Burke said. "It's one where we've got some depth.

"We're excited about our chances."

This year's team will be coached by Maple Leafs bench boss Ron Wilson, who will be assisted by the Rangers' John Tortorella and the New York Islanders' Scott Gordon.