The United States unveiled their initial World Cup of Hockey 2016 roster on Wednesday, and what they lack in star power they make up for in grit.
World Cup of Hockey 2016: Here is the Team USA roster
A roster shake-up is in order.
USA hockey named 12 former Olympians to the team, though more than a few notable names from USA teams past didn't make the cut. Veterans like Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel, St. Louis Blues captain David Backes and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Ryan Callahan will stay at home.
Here’s the full roster:
| F | Justin Abdelkader | Detroit Red Wings |
| F | Patrick Kane | Chicago Blackhawks |
| F | Ryan Kesler | Anaheim Ducks |
| F | T.J. Oshie | Washington Capitals |
| F | Max Pacioretty | Montreal Canadiens |
| F | Zach Parise | Minnesota Wild |
| F | Joe Pavelski | San Jose Sharks |
| F | Derek Stepan | New York Rangers |
| F | Blake Wheeler | Winnipeg Jets |
| D | Dustin Byfuglien | Winnipeg Jets |
| D | John Carlson | Washington Capitals |
| D | Ryan McDonagh | New York Rangers |
| D | Ryan Suter | Minnesota Wild |
| G | Ben Bishop | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| G | Jonathan Quick | Los Angeles Kings |
| G | Cory Schneider | New Jersey Devils |
Perhaps it's unsurprising that the roster looks so different this time around. A shake-up was probably in order after the USA team failed to even medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
That said, leaving top defensemen like Kevin Shattenkirk of the Blues and Justin Faulk of the Carolina Hurricanes at home (not to mention Kessel's scoring prowess) seems curious.
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