USA Hockey's Olympic Team Selection Process

[WHKY blogger]

There has been some questioning going on as to how the US team will be selected and the process. Hopefully this helps set the record straight.

Using the Media Information on the USA Hockey Web Site, this seems to be the current plan.

Following the IIHF Worlds, the U.S. Olympic Women's Team open tryouts will take place May 16-17 in Blaine, Minn., at the Schwan Super Rink, and in Dedham, Mass., at the Boston Ice Center.

The following are scrimmage times for each location. Cuts will be made after each ice session.

Dedham, Mass.
May 16 - 9-10:30 a.m., 10:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
May 17 - 9-10:30 a.m., 10:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

Blaine, Minn.
May 16 - 1:10 - 2:40 p.m., 2:50 - 4:20 p.m.
May 17 - 10:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m., 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.

The players who will be invited to the Olympic Tryout will participate in an off-ice training camp at the Olympic Training Center in early-mid June as has been done the past few summers.

Blaine will host the Olympic Tryouts which will be held Aug. 18-23. This will be held in place of a National Festival this year. Approximately 32-36 players will be invited to tryout in Blaine, Minn. The 23-player 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team for the Qwest Tour will be named at the conclusion of the camp.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will take to the ice for the first time Aug. 31-Sept. 6 at the National Women’s Invitational Tournament in Vancouver, BC. This will serve as a test event for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Team USA will play a total of five games. Other competing nations include Canada, Finland and Sweden. The tournament will take place at the two Olympic venues – UBC Thunderbird Arena and GM Place.

The team will return to Blaine for training following the tournament and continue to prepare for the olympics and participate in the QUEST Tour.

In November the The U.S. Women’s National Team will travel to Finland for the Four Nations Cup held Nov 2-8. This will be the last international tournament for Team USA prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

In early January 2010, twenty-one players will be named to the squad to compete in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, including three goalies (one will
be an alternate in case of injury).

[vellnueve]

So, two players will sacrifice their seasons (assuming they're collegiate players) but not necessarily make it to the Olympics?

[RStarr]

Not that I'll make it, or even be close, but I have officially registered for the open tryouts. :cool:

[TonyTheTiger20]

Not that I'll make it, or even be close, but I have officially registered for the open tryouts. :cool:
Good luck Rugger! :p

[rinkrat890890]

So, two players will sacrifice their seasons (assuming they're collegiate players) but not necessarily make it to the Olympics?

Happens every Olympic year.

[LG4]

So, two players will sacrifice their seasons (assuming they're collegiate players) but not necessarily make it to the Olympics?


I really don't think it is that much of a sacrifice.You get to practise day in /out with and against the best players in the country with top notch staff.If you are a true competitor in love with the sport its an all win situation. You will improve as a player -- isn't that every atlete's goal. Practises will be high intensity because you know there is someone capable of replacing you.

[ARM]

Happens every Olympic year.It was worse for US players when the team centralized for 2 seasons prior to the 2002 Olympics. And yes, some collegians who started out with the team didn't make the final Olympic roster.

As for the magnitude of the sacrifice of interrupting their college careers, I would think it is more a factor as a student than as an athlete.

[vellnueve]

I would think it is more a factor as a student than as an athlete.

That's more of what I was getting at.