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r Picks Ou for 14 20 USA Hockey Magazine Makes Its Picks Of Who Will Suit Up In Sochi N ight started to descend on Fenway Park as the Boston Bruins had just defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1 in overtime, at the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. It was time for the real fireworks to commence. USA Hockey opted to use the nationally-televised stage on New Year's Day to announce the U.S. Olympic Team that would compete in Vancouver in the world's greatest hockey tournament. Before the ice shavings could settle, the criticism started as some questioned various selections while others criticized the team as a whole. Still, U.S. general manager Brian Burke stood steadfast in his support of the team that he and several other American-born GMs put together for a gold-medal run. By the time the Olympic flame was doused in Vancouver, the U.S. had come within a shot off the goal post from staging another monumental Olympic upset and eventually settled for the silver medal. As the NHL lockout has thrown everything in to a state of flux, it will be interesting to see which players come flying out of the gate for the abbreviated season. Without the benefit of a crystal ball, USA Hockey Magazine is making its own predictions of who will wear the red, white and blue in 2014. In making our choices of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders, we factored in several variables – age, years 24 February. 2013 in the league, service on past national or Olympic teams, performance during the 2011-12 season, and good old-fashioned favoritism. Take Note: These selections are the picks of our editorial board and the Hockey Department here at USA Hockey and in no way, shape or form should these guesses be considered an endorsement from the intelligent and experienced USA Hockey minds that will ultimately pick the team. GOALIEs Ryan Miller Age: 32 Buffalo Sabres East Lansing, Mich. Our Take: There would be no silver in Vancouver if not for Miller's heroics. You can bet he would love another chance to backstop the Americans to a gold medal in Sochi. Cory Schneider Age: 26 Vancouver Canucks Marblehead, Mass. Our Take: It was a tough call but we take Schneider over Jimmy Howard as our No. 3 goalie. Now that he has claimed the No. 1 goaltending job in Vancouver he has his sights set on international success. Forwards Zach Parise Age: 28 Minnesota Wild Minneapolis Our Take: Team USA's leading scorer from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics has blossomed into a leader both on and off the ice. His goal with 22 seconds left in the gold-medal game gave new life to the Americans. Can he help them take the next step in Sochi? Phil Kessel Age: 25 Toronto Maple Leafs Madison, Wis. Our Take: Kessel led all American scorers with 37 goals and 45 assists during a career-year last season. A proven pointproducer, Kessel could be the key to the U.S. power-play unit. David Backes Age: 28 St. Louis Blues Minneapolis Our Take: The 6-foot-3 forward is a physical force with a scorer's touch, having posted 30-plus goals in three consecutive seasons. Jonathan Quick Patrick Kane Age: 27 Los Angeles Kings Hamden, Conn. Age: 24 Chicago Blackhawks Buffalo, N.Y. Our Take: The 2012 Conn Symthe winner is riding the hot hand coming into the season. Calm under pressure, Quick can handle the tough task of playing against the world's best on the biggest stage. USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Our Take: Since being drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft (2007), Kane has been a proven scorer, whether he's sporting the Blackhawks crest or the red, white and blue. He led Team USA with 22 shots on goal in Vancouver. Photos By Images on Ice; Vancouver Canucks