State 2010 Olympic Squads

Much like we did last week, breaking down Team Canada into 7 different provincial teams (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/01/review-of-the-2010-canadian-olympic-provincial-teams/), this week, we are breaking up Team USA into different States.

Team Michigan:

This week we will be breaking down the Team USA’s 2010 Olympic squad into the best Olympic State teams. There are 6 U.S. states which have produced 71.5% of US hockey players playing in today’s NHL(any guesses as to which 6 they are?). Interestingly Michigan slightly edged Minnesota as the number one producer of NHL talent.

This team has some very experienced upper management, great goaltending, older forwards and a solid but not flashy defensive core.

Coach: Dan Bylsma - While he probably isn’t the most highly regarded person right now in Michigan after his Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup, the pride of Grand Haven, Michigan would be my selection to lead Team Michigan. While he doesn’t have a tremendous amount of NHL coaching experience he seemed to get the best out of the Pens for the short period of time he had them. Plus with Mike Illitch as owner and Craig Patrick as GM he will have plenty of experience around him.

Goalie:

1. Tim Thomas

2. Ryan Miller

3. Brent Johnson

For complete look at Team Michigan, click here (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/03/team-michigan/).

Team Minnesota:

As supplied by Goon of Goon’s World:

Coming as no big surprise, Team Minnesota looks like the class of the south of the border entries. A potent forward group and young, mobile defensive corps make the 10000 Lakers a team to beat. The Achilles Heel seems to be their goaltending, which, while talented, is a little shy on experience.

Coach: Dean Blais- While he lacks professional experience, Blais is a keen motivator who knows how to handle this group, mainly former collegians. He won’t take any crap and will get the most out of any underachievers.

Goalie:

1. Alex Stalock

2. Adam Berkhoel

3. John Curry

For a complete look at Team Minnesota, click here (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/04/team-minnesota/).

Team New York:

Team New York is an interesting mix. The 27th largest state in the union based on total geography, it ranks as the third in total population. As a result one would expect that New York state would be well represented in the NHL. Turns out that it currently ranks third, behind Michigan and Minnesota.

Very talented group of forwards without alot of pop from the back end. The goalie contingent looks like a future Red Wings goalie camp. To complete our trio we had to coax a goalie out of recent retirement to have a full compliment of tenders.

Coach: Ted Sator - Not to diminsh Mr. Sator, but it didn’t appear that there was much competition. Couldn’t find any coaches with NHL, AHL or even College experience from NY. He hasn’t been in the NHL in over ten years and last coached in North America at the ECHL level with the New Orleans Brass.

Goalie:

1. Jimmy Howard

2. Robert Esche

3. Thomas McCollum

For a complete look at Team New York, click here (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/05/team-new-york/).

Team Massachusetts:

As part of our ongoing project of choosing Olympic teams based on states and provinces, I volunteered to take Team Mass., thinking it would be pretty easy to find a solid squad. While I was able to round off the defensive corps pretty quickly, the forwards took some work, with a search of the American League made necessary by the lack of NHL calibre forwards hailing from the state.

Coach: Robbie Ftorek. I realize I could have gone with Peter Laviolette, but the mere chance that Ftorek might bring back the sweater look was enough to make me choose him.

Goalies:

1. Rick DiPietro

2. Corey Schneider

3. Mike Morrison

For a complete look at Team Massachusetts, click here (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/06/team-massachusetts/).

Team Illinois/Team Wisconsin:

One of the readers of our 2010 State Olympic teams asked me why I didn’t put together a Team Illinois or Team Wisconsin since I had mentioned them in the list of 6 States which were the highest producers of U.S. born NHL players. My response was that while they did help to contribute, their input was almost half of what the 4th State (Team Massachusetts) provided so it might be difficult to put together a competitive team. Even by going to the AHL & College ranks it was difficult to put together a team that could contend in this ‘fantasy’ tournament.

However being up for the challenge I decided that since these two states border each other, why not combine the two and see what kind of team we could have. (as could be seen with Team Maritimes, when you don’t have enough players from one region, why not combine).

So without further ado, here is Team Illisconsin.

Coach: Tony Granato. Despite his recent demotion/promotion, I’m giving the pride of Downers Grove, Illinois the head coaching mantle. He is a perfect choice to lead this mixed squad. He played for the University of Wisconsin and he was born and raised in Illinois.

Goalies:

1. Craig Anderson (IL)

2. Al Montoya (IL)

3. Tyler Plante (WI)

For a complete look at Team Illinois & Team Wisconsin, click here (http://www.illegalcurve.com/2009/08/08/team-illinoisteam-wisconsin/).