By @MichaelCaples –
There’s going to be a lot more attention on the Deutschland Cup this year.
Why? The Olympics.
With no NHL participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics, players competing in Europe will make up a substantial amount of the final rosters representing countries in Pyeongchang.
USA Hockey announced the Deutschland Cup roster today, with three Michigan names cracking the list – Jim Slater (Lapeer), Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe) and Chad Billins (Marysville).
Other Michigan names include Wolverines product Chad Kolarik and NTDP alums Mark Stuart and Ryan Stoa.
The most notable former NHL names are Brian Gionta, Tom Gilbert, Matt Gilroy and Ryan Malone, among a few others.
For a full roster, click here.
“We’re excited about our roster for the Deutschland Cup,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director for hockey operations at USA Hockey and also the general manager of the 2017 U.S. Men’s National Select Team and 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “It should be an excellent tournament and will also be a good chance to help us in our Olympic preparation.”