USA Hockey: End of an Era - From The Rink
The blazing speed of Modano, the slick pass from Brian Leetch, the no-holds-barred attitude Roenick, clutching the glove of Mike Richter, these guys were truly the greatest generation of USA Hockey, which took American game of NHL players to support worthy superstars of the international game. Here's who helped define the United States Hockey 1990s to the 2000s:
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Mike Modano When the NHL first saw Mike Modano, he was a skinny kid more interested in scoring goals and rolled his flashy mule backchecking be. What is the evidence proved that any marker hot dog can become a top player in all facets of the game with time, maturity, and some solid ass-kicking by Ken Hitchcock, Modano is become much more than just before scoring. His offensive skills remained, but added sand, entertainment, education and defense to his gameNow, history will Modano legacy like that of a complete player whose speed has benefited from the free Stars on both sides of the puck on the way to the Stanley Cup. At its peak, Jeremy Roenick has everything you could dream of a hockey player. It flew around the ice with reckless abandon, sent flying opponents in the council, dazzled by smooth hands and a fatal shot, while being able to play in all situations. Of course, it is known as much for his mouth than his play on the ice, but I think most people would agree that the NHL could use more free thinkers like Roenick - even if you do not always agree with him.In his final season, he swallowed his pride, spurred his work ethic, and became a mentor to guys like Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi. Other players from the U.S. can match his points, but few have touched his swagger.
Brett Hull loves controversy sure to follow Brett Hull. Consider his dual citizenship and the decision to get Canada to the USA Hockey ... Legendary or not a goal in Buffalo ... or his unsuccessful attempt to co-interim GM ... or his willingness to criticize his coaches or his league.These things sometimes overshadow many showy Hull, his fatal shot, or his inexplicable ability to find a place unattended on the ice for a perfect timer. It may have dual nationality, but the Golden Brett will always be a member of USA Hockey. How was John Leclair in his day? What is it five straight 40 + goal years, including three 50 + seasons? These figures are rare, even in the NHL rapid post-lockout, but Leclair achieved its objectives at a time when pucks just did not go in the net that much.While his career has been hampered and ultimately done in by back injuries - results of several cross-checks all planted in the crease enemy - Leclair remains one of the premier scorers of his generation, American or otherwise. Imagine what that could, if Pat Lafontaine did not have his career cut short by concussions. An absolute model of consistency, Lafontaine had seven seasons of 40 + goals, including two 50 + goal seasons. It was not just about his goal scoring; Lafontaine times recorded using an incredible 95 season, while setting up Alexander Mogilny in Buffalo.His speed, vision and hockey sense were a complete package, and it is always put up 40 goals in his second season before last, before finally succumbing to the harsh reality of post-concussion syndrome. "Feisty" is a way of summarizing the career of Keith Tkachuk, a more apt phrase might be "pain in the ass" - and it is designed as a supplement. Fiery, competitive, Keith Tkachuk together a little bit of everything: a big blow, a willingness to fight (sometimes literally) with controls to alter the envelope, and a desire to score goals even if it meant taking punishment brutal face of the fold.In his later years, young brashness Tkachuk gave way to a more mature locker room presence, and he left the game a leader in St. Louis despite his skills post-lockout decreased. Brian Leetch could have the most pure talent of any player to wear a jersey of Team USA. A smooth skater with incredible vision passing, Leetch has been much more than a One-Trick Pony offensive. With his hands and speed, Leetch could play in any situation, but was the true definition of "quarterback the power play - and not just with his passes, but his shooting accuracy and the ability to control washer.Leetch will go down in history as one of the few defenders to eclipse 100 points, a Conn Smyth and Norris winner, and one of the greatest of all time, no matter what jersey he wore. It may be a little wrong about Tkachuk and Modano retirement without mentioning Chris Chelios. For all we know, the ageless wonder (recently returned the Chicago Wolves of the AHL) could give him yet another kick in the box. Meanwhile, place Chelios history of the NHL is easily carved.First, it was a feisty defender-but-talented, then he was chief Blackhawks on and off the ice, then was broken on the blue line in Detroit, the transition from grizzled veteran of the phenomenon defies time nature. Is it over for Chelios? Maybe or maybe not - but his legacy of its completely secure and is a lock infallible in the Hall of Fame. Until a few years ago, Phil Housley was the best player scoring American-born NHL history - and he did everything as a defender.A true model of consistency, Housley continued to put up points even if he came to the wrong side of 30 at the time of Dead Puck. A seven-time All Star, Housley did not the headlines or attention that Raymond Bourque, Paul Coffey or Brian Leetch did, but that does not diminish its figures of great power: 338 goals and 894 assists in 1495 games. One day, perhaps eclipse Ryan Miller Mike Richter as the greatest goalkeeper in U.S. history. If Miller can be matched Richter MVP worthy of the World Cup with his performance at the Vancouver Olympics run, yet Richter 1994 Stanley Cup to his name.And if you think that Richter was simply the benefactor of a veteran team loaded with Mark Messier and Brian Leetch at the controls, I invite you to revisit the once famous Pavel Bure penalty in the final of the Cup. While knee injuries brutalized body Richter during his playing career, he has been an accumulation of concussions that eventually made him into - but not before reaching the plateau of 300 victories. Honer mentions Derian Hatcher and Kevin, Tony Amonte, Doug Weight, Gary Suter, Mathieu Schneider, and Bill Guerin.Each of these players have long, successful careers while contributing to the growth and success of USA Hockey, with Guerin, Schneider, and the still-take-quarters of the NHL....
CBC.caThe elder Burke, a Harvard Law school graduate, played hockey at Providence College. He also was Team USA's GM at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, USA Hockey creates internship in honour of Brendan BurkeFrozen Four brings news of an internshipLeafs GM Burke's late son sparks tribute -all 22 news articles »
Boston GlobeRIT's hockey team has given the campus and the Rochester community something The Badgers are ranked second in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Division I poll. Sure, RIT is the underdog this weekend, but that doesn't mean much. Frozen Four notebook Cinderella RIT not ready to head home from the ball yetCross-Ice Skills Clinic at 
NHL.comThey gathered again in August in Lake Placid for the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp, both made the gold-medal team that competed in Prospects in NCAA spotlight tonightQ&A with Chris KreiderAfter being drafted in first round and winning world junior title, Kreider to all 8 news articles »
Since I knew people in USA Hockey and have been around rinks, I knew who to contact. “We are the first girls' team in the State of Iowa and for me, Lady RoughRiders ready for nationalsall 13 news articles »
