This is where I say, “Oh, thank God!”
I say that because there are a few names on the list that NHL.com released today on who was being invited to US Men’s Hockey Training Camp for the Olympics 2010 that made me sigh with relief. Here’s the list:
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas
Defensemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney
Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny
Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas…great to see their names. I’m a huge fan of Ryan Miller’s. He makes me gush when he tries to talk to me about non-hockey related matters. Actually, the last time he spoke to me, I had a huge smile glued to my face for a week.
Tim Thomas makes me laugh, because you don’t want to mess with him or you’ll pay the price…even if your name is Carey Price.
There are a few Devils that made the list: Jamie Langenbrunner, Paul Martin and Zach Parise.
Parise’s name on the list is really why I’m sighing with relief. He is one of the most under-appreciated players in the entire NHL. What? Being in second place in goals for most of the season wasn’t enough? Guess it matters how things ended…that’s all that matters.
He even scored more goals than Sidney Crosby last season…but like I said, that doesn’t mean anything. Sidney Crosby is still the poster boy of the NHL…even though Evgeni Malkin is better (which I’ve been saying forever now). Sorry Sid, still much love for ya, kid.
It was a little disappointing that Parise got shutout of the Worlds. ‘Too many people playing already, sorry…’ Denied a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (came in 3rd in voting…maybe if he didn’t hit me all of the time he would’ve had more votes…just kidding).
If he were denied the privilege of playing in the Olympics…I would feel really bad for the kid. He’s one of the nicest kids around. It’s too bad the world of hockey isn’t escalating his value like they should. After all, he is one of the superstars of the New Jersey Devils that just so happens to be just as good as Sidney Crosby. Look at the stats…the stats from last season definitely prove it.
Zach is only going to get better, just like Sid. They have the same build/physique/mindset when it comes to playing hockey. They were trained by the same guy. They are both Leos…which there seems to be some sort of correlation with when you are born that will determine how good of a hockey player you’re going to be (I didn’t believe it until Pat LaFontaine and Glenn Anderson really made the case for it and swayed my opinion in the matter).
Either way, it doesn’t matter how much of a case I make for Zach…he will always be under-appreciated. Just seems to be his fate. 
