Johnson and Backes on Team USA
January 1st, 2010 | by admin |Johnson and Backes on Team USA
Erik Johnson and David Backes have made Team USA and will be competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Their names were called at the finale of the Winter Classic at Fenway Park. T.J. Oshie did not make the squad, which has been a talking point amongst Blues’ fans this season. Backes and Johnson will skate in Vancouver along with Roman Polak who was recently named to the Czech Republic squad. The Olympic games are made just a bit more exciting when some of our boys in Blue take the ice.
Erik Johnson is certainly deserving, but I will admit I am surprised David Backes made it while T.J. Oshie did not. Oshie is a fantastic 2-way forward, while Backes is the more physical player of the two. Not to take anything away from Backes, but aside from the goaltenders, it was a surprising USA squad, with notable omissions at the defense. The team obviously lacks the huge name power that Canada brings to the table, and will have to use grit to get things done – an area Backes can excel in.
Oshie might have missed the cut this year, but he should be looked at again come the next Winter’s games if he continues playing at the same intensity he is now.
Tags: david backes, Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues, T.J. Oshie, Team USA
By Chris on Jan 1, 2010
Hey along with the current Blues now playing for Team USA… let’s all give it up for Paul Stasny. Although he’s not a Blue, he is a hometown boy who’s been lighting the lamp this year on a regular basis for the Av’s. Expect more St. Louis hockey olympians in the future!!!
By admin on Jan 1, 2010
Good call. Stastny has been tremendous for the Avs. Amazing that he is still only 24. Would love to have him come back and play for his home town, but the price for that would be enormous.