10 alums named to U.S. Olympic Team

Ten former NAHL players were named to the United States Olympic Team that will compete in the XXI Olympic Winter Games from February 16-28 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, an East Lansing, Mich., native who played for the NAHL’s Soo Indians from 1997-99, was named to the U.S. team.

Fellow netminder Tim Thomas, a Flint, Mich., product who played for the NAHL’s Lakeland Jets and is currently with the Boston Bruins, was also selected.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski, a Dearborn, Mich., native formerly of the NAHL’s Melvindale Blades, was one of the seven defensemen named to the squad.

Seven players who played in the NAHL as members of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program will also represent Team USA: forwards Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks) and Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs); and defensemen Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles Kings), Mike Komisarek (Toronto) and Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators).

In addition, the San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski, who is part of the Janesville Jets’ ownership group, was named as one of the team’s 13 forwards.

View the complete Team USA roster here.