Mar. 30, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; An American flag is projected onto the ice during the signing of the national anthem prior to the game between the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2014 Winter Olympics only one year away it’s already prediction time.  The defending Olympic silver medalists from Vancouver will boast another impressive squad next year in Russia. Here are my projections for who will make the final cut for Team USA:

Forwards

The forward group showcases a plethora of speed, size, and skill.  Team USA’s size and strength up front will cause plenty of headaches for opposing defenders. Their depth at forward is no doubt the strength of this club.

Zach Parise Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports	David Backes Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports	Patrick Kane Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Pominville Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports	Joe Pavelski . Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports	Phil Kessel Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Max Pacioretty Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports	Ryan Kesler Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports	Bobby Ryan Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
James van Riemsdyk Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports	T.J. Oshie Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports	Dustin Brown Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Forwards On The Bubble

Paul Stastny Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Dubinsky Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Defense 

USA’s blueline will be as competitive as any in the tournament.  Like their forwards, these are physically imposing d-men who can skate. Moving the puck quickly and efficiently to their forwards will pose no problems for this backend.

Ryan Suter Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports	Dustin Byfuglien Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Keith Yandle Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports	Kevin Shattenkirk Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan McDonagh Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports	Jack Johnson Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen On The Bubble

Justin Faulk Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Brooks Orpik Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Goalies

The biggest question surrounding the United States will be their goaltending.  Can Jonathan Quick regain his Stanley Cup form from last season?  Will Ryan Miller be able to find his game that made him the best goalie in the 2010 Olympic tournament?  Team USA’s goaltending could be the difference between being on or off the podium come Sochi 2014.

Jonathan Quick Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Howard Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Miller Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

You can purchase a raffle ticket for a dollar. Yes. One Dollar. One US Dollar. $1 will get out a raffle ticket.

Up for grabs in the raffle…

Grand Prize – Buffalo Sabres autographed jersey from Ryan Miller
Second Prize – Detroit Red Wings Drew Miller autographed jersey

You can send a check made out to GLAHA to Kevin at:

GLAHA Raffle c/o Kevin Miller
1475 Lake Lansing Road
Lansing, MI 48913

And he will send you your raffle ticket stubs.

To help Kevin out you might just want to include a self address stamped envelope; that way he can drop them right in the mail since we are trying to get as much money to the hockey program as possible. I am sure it would be greatly appreciated.

All donations will also be tax deductible.

*GLAHA = Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association