John Carlson and the Rest of Team USA
MN - Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson will represent Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Team USA announced the team’s 25-man roster today following the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on NBC. Carlson, 23, will be making his first Olympic appearance. The 6’3”, 212-pound defenseman from Natick, Massachusetts, ranks tied for fifth among NHL defensemen in goals this season (7), first among Washington skaters in blocked shots (83) and average ice time (24:41) and second on the team in shots (107). In the last two seasons, Carlson ranks third in goals (13) among NHL defensemen born in the United States, trailing only Keith Yandle (16) and Dustin Byfluglien (15). In 274 career NHL games with Washington, Carlson has tallied 112 points (30 goals, 82 assists) and a plus-26 rating.
USA! USA! USA! Pretty sick to see JC74 picked to play on the Olympic team. First Capitals player ever to play for Team USA. Picked ahead of guys that most thought would make the team like Dustin Byfuglien, Jack Johnson, and Keith Yandle. But they went with speed and youth, both which Carlson has. And he’s clutch city.
And what do you do right after you make team USA? Have a fucking press conference in front of the White House. Obviously.
Surprised he didn’t have an eagle perched on his shoulder and an American flag as a shirt.
As for the rest of your team USA:
Forwards:
David Backes, St. Louis Blues
Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks
Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs
T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche
Derek Stepan, New York Rangers
James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets
Defensemen:
John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks
Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
Brooks Orpik, Pittsburgh Penguins
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
Goalies:
Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
We can talk all day about snubs and all that, but at the end of the day, some people are always going to be snubbed. But gotta put that behind ya. Time to start getting pumped for the Winter Olympics and Team USA train and start watching Miracle on a nightly basis. Fuck Canada. Fuck Russia. Fuck Sweden. It’s USA time.