Team Canada Complete Roster
Team USA Complete Roster
All 2004 World Cup Rosters
Jan. 13/04 -
2004 World Cup of Hockey Roster Rules:
- Final rosters will consist of 23 skaters and three goaltenders.
- Teams will dress 18 skaters and two goalies for each game.
- Each country must name 18 members of its team in May, with the complete roster announced by June 20.
- Update: As of March 23/04, the rule that each country must carry three players under the age of 22 has been dropped.
On the previous page, we look at a projected roster for Team Canada roster. Here's a look at the top candidates for Team USA, as of January, 2004:
Center
- Jeremy Roenick
- Doug Weight
- Mike Modano
- Todd Marchant
- Chris Drury
It’s hard to imagine anyone unseating the top three, despite Modano’s mediocre season. The other spots might be open to whoever plays best in 2004. Drury would have ranked third a couple of years ago, but he does not have Marchant’s complete game. Someone from this group could play on the wing.
Right Wing
- Brett Hull
- Bill Guerin
- Tony Amonte
- Mike Knuble
- Dustin Brown (under-22)
The top three are probably safe. Knuble is an experienced checker and likely to top 50 points again, giving him the edge over Langenbrunner. But a displaced center might steal the number-four spot. Brown is a candidate because of his young age. The under-22 provision is no help to the Americans, who are short on early achievers.
Left Wing
- Keith Tkachuk
- Brian Rolston
- Mike York
- Shawn McEachern
- Zach Parise (under-22)
Leclair needs a strong second half to merit consideration, though he played well at the 2002 Olympics. After his performance at the World Junior Championship, Parise, a Devils' prospect, deserves a U-22 spot as much as anyone.
Defense
- Derian Hatcher
- Brian Rafalski
- Mathieu Schneider
- Brian Leetch
- Chris Chelios
- Paul Mara
- Ken Klee
- Tim Gleason (under-22)
Apart from Hatcher, the top four is not very physical, so the aging Chelios earns a spot with his surly approach. Klee or Gill will be considered for similar reasons. Leopold could earn a spot with his considerable international experience. Team captain is either Hatcher or Leetch.
Goaltenders
- Mike Dunham
- John Grahame
- Brian Boucher
The goalie rankings are little more than arbitrary; the competition for this job is wide open. GM Larry Pleau likely hopes that someone will step up and have a great second half or playoff and make the choice easy for him.
Coaches:
Wilson guided the Americans to the 1996 World Cup, but was also in charge of the USA's poor effort at the '98 Olympics. He currently presides over the unexpected revival of the San Jose Sharks, suggesting he deserves another chance.
