Like I had mentioned the other day after Team Canada was announced, former Badgers Joe Pavelski, Brian Rafalski, and Ryan Suter were officially announced as members of Team USA for the upcoming Olympic games in Vancouver. In addition, Madison native Phil Kessel was also named to the team.Pavelski, who won a national championship with the 2006 Badgers, is having a hell of a season for the Sharks centering the second line. He currently has 21 points through 26 games. This will be the first Olympic games for the forward from Plover. You know they will be watching intently at Arbuckles.
Brian Rafalski is on of only a handful of players on the US squad this season with prior Olympic experience. Rafalski, who played with the Badgers from 91-92 to 94-95 will be playing in his third Olympic games. He was with the US squad 4 years ago in Italy, and also won a Silver medal with the US squad in Salt Lake city in 2002. The defenseman from Dearborn, Michigan has 15 points through 36 games for the Red Wings this season.
The invitation for Ryan Suter goes a bit deeper than the average player. With the accolades of his father and uncle, you know it's a special experience for him to be selected to the team. As you know, his father Bob was a defenseman on the 1980 squad who won the gold medal in Lake Placid. The Madison native currently has 20 points in the first 41 games for Nashville.
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