Johnson and Backes on Team USA

Erik Johnson and David Backes have made Team USA and will be competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Their names were called at the finale of the Winter Classic at Fenway Park. T.J. Oshie did not make the squad, which has been a talking point amongst Blues’ fans this season. Backes and Johnson will skate in Vancouver along with Roman Polak who was recently named to the Czech Republic squad. The Olympic games are made just a bit more exciting when some of our boys in Blue take the ice.

Erik Johnson is certainly deserving, but I will admit I am surprised David Backes made it while T.J. Oshie did not. Oshie is a fantastic 2-way forward, while Backes is the more physical player of the two. Not to take anything away from Backes, but aside from the goaltenders, it was a surprising USA squad, with notable omissions at the defense. The team obviously lacks the huge name power that Canada brings to the table, and will have to use grit to get things done – an area Backes can excel in.

Oshie might have missed the cut this year, but he should be looked at again come the next Winter’s games if he continues playing at the same intensity he is now.