Ryan Miller, Lindy Ruff, and More: Buffalo Is Filling Up Olympic Rosters

With U.S. Olympic Hockey GM Brian Burke rumored to be finalizing the Olympic roster next week, I thought we’d take a look at just how well represented the Buffalo area might be. I spent a lot of time recently looking deep into the issue, and was very impressed with the Western New York connections. It just may be enough to anoint Buffalo as the Hockey Capital of the United States (in my humble opinion).

Without further ado (and in no particular order):

The Locks

Ryan Miller

Everyone knows this connection. The Buffalo Sabres starting goalie is putting up a Hart Trophy-caliber season and is almost a sure thing to start for Team USA. If you shudder to think of where the Sabres might be without him this year, just think of the possibilities of Team USA…

Lindy Ruff

A Coach of the Year, led Buffalo to its most recent appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals (in 1999), a long-time player and Captain for the Sabres. He was picked as an Associate Coach for Team Canada.

John Tortorella

John was an assistant coach for both the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres before finally landing a head job with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. U.S. Olympic coach Ron Wilson tapped Tortorella as an assistant coach for Team USA. Tortorella won the Calder Cup with Rochester in 1986 and the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004.

Patrick Kane

The most famous product of Buffalo’s Youth Hockey program, South Buffalo’s Patrick Kane is an NHL Rookie of the Year and will be the butt of taxi cab jokes for years to come. He is also on the verge of becoming one of the premier goal scorers in the league and a building block of a possible dynasty in Chicago. A top six player for Team USA for sure.

Jochen Hecht

Hecht is a native of Germany, and probably its best player. He has struggled as a third line player in Buffalo the past couple of seasons, but has represented Germany in the past three Olympics (although I believe he may have been injured for the Turin Games) as part of an illustrious international career dating back to 1994.

The Possibilities

Chris Drury

Drury, a former Captain and All-Star game starter for the Sabres, starts off this portion of the list as his play for the New York Rangers thus far might eliminate him from the roster. Two goals and nine points do not a World Class player make. He is, however, an Olympic veteran, having played for Team USA in the past two tournaments and is widely respected for his leadership. Will that translate into a roster spot?

Ryan Callahan

A forward for the New York Rangers, Callahan was born just outside of Rochester, NY and was invited to the USA’s Olympic Camp. Callahan finally stayed on with the big club for the whole season last year, but as with Drury, his spot might be lost due to a struggling Rangers team. Five goals and nine points so far just doesn’t cut it.

Tim Connolly

The Buffalo Sabres' leading scorer and a native of Syracuse, NY, Connolly’s name has been brought up more and more in recent weeks as the stocks of the two above-mentioned players have dropped. He was not invited to the Olympic Camp, but that certainly does not eliminate him from contention. It’s his versatility that is earning him a look.

Brian Gionta

Gionta is another Rochester native. He is currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens and was invited to Camp this past year. A former 48-goal scorer with the Devils, Gionta scored four goals in six games at the 2006 Olympics in Turin.

Jason Pominville

I almost passed over Pommer, forgetting his dual citizenship (his mother is American, a-la Brett Hull’s situation). Has spent the past five seasons with the Sabres, topping out at 34 goals in ’06-’07 and 80 points in ’07-’08. He has largely struggled since, and a roster spot may hinge on where Team USA needs a right-handed shot. He did put up five points in seven games at the 2008 World Championships, so that may work in his favor.

Paul Gausted

“Goose” has also benefited from the Rangers’ struggles as well as a new approach from Brian Burke, who is trying to distance himself from the Fantasy League-type of roster that has been assembled in the past. A possible role player, Gausted would be brought in for his grit, his all-out effort, and his face-off skills (skills learned, ironically, from Chris Drury during his tenure in Buffalo). He has spent the last five years in Buffalo and improved every year.

Derek Roy

Tied with Tim Connolly for the team’s leading scorer, Roy gets a mention here as he was invited to Team Canada’s Olympic Camp. World-class talent at the center position like Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Joe Thorton, and Vincent Lecavalier will most likely prevent Roy from making the team. Roy also put together a strong performance for Team Canada in the ’08 Worlds, so a rash of sudden injuries might get him a look (hey, it could happen…).

Dustin Brown

I saved Brown for last. Even though he is a lock to make the roster, we'll consider him a fringe player on this list. He was born in Ithaca, NY. Not quite Western New York, but as an Upstate New York native, we'll take 'im. A "banger" of a winger in the Luc Robataille mold, he plays for the LA Kings.