USA Hockey: The best hockey team you've never seen

Dave Hogg, FOX Sports Detroit wrote this article and I thought it was worth a look. Good stuff here. Some things to think about as USA Hockey plays in the 2014 Sochi Olympics games.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- "The U.S. is a powerhouse now, and you can see the envy in the programs from other countries," U-17 coach Don Granato said. "There's a fear factor for them -- it is scary to see the accelerated pace that hockey has developed in the United States."

Although the kids spend only two seasons in Ann Arbor, their impact on American hockey spreads far beyond youth tournaments. Seven NDTP graduates were on the U.S. team that won a silver medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and there are nine currently playing in Sochi: goalie Jimmy Howard (Red Wings); defensemen Justin Faulk (Hurricanes), Cam Fowler (Ducks), Kevin Shattenkirk (Blues) and Ryan Suter (Wild); and forwards Patrick Kane (Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Canucks), Phil Kessel (Maple Leafs) and James van Riemsdyk (Maple Leafs).

Those currently in the program aren't getting to watch much of the Olympics. They're sleeping while the Games are taking place, getting ready for their dual lives as hockey players and full-time students at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. But they're keeping track of what's happening.

"Once you play with 'USA' on your chest, it means even more to watch the Olympic team," U-18 forward Dylan Larkin said. "That team is where every American hockey player wants to be."

The program has succeeded at so many levels -- almost every player goes on to a college career and more than 130 have ended up in the NHL -- that it's hard to believe how hard Jeff Jackson had to fight to create it. In 1996, Jackson, who made a name in hockey with two NCAA titles at Lake Superior State, was interviewing for a position as USA Hockey's national coach. When he returned for his second interview, he came with a plan that would change men's hockey in the United States.

Roco Grimaldi and Jordan Schmaltz make the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Roster

Here is the Roster for the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Participants. As expected, Fighting Sioux freshman Rocco Grimaldi and Jordan Schmaltz are on the roster.

GOALIES (4)

John Gibson, Pittsburgh, Pa. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Jon Gillies, Concord, N.H. Indiana Ice (USHL)
Garret Sparks, Elmhurst, Ill. Guelph Storm (OHL)
Anthony Stolarz, Edison, N.J. Corpus Christi (NAHL)

DEFENSEMEN (17)

Connor Carrick, Orland Park, Ill. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Brian Cooper, Anchorage, Alaska Fargo Force (USHL)
Shayne Gostisbehere, Margate, Fla. Union College (ECACH)
Matt Grzelcyk, Charlestown, Mass. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Garrett Haar, Huntington Beach, Calif. Western Michigan Univ. (CCHA)
Seth Jones, Plano, Texas U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jake McCabe, Eau Claire, Wis. Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Connor Murphy, Boston, Mass. Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Mike Paliotta, Westport, Conn. Univ. of Vermont (HEA)
Mike Reilly, Chanhassen, Minn. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Robbie Russo, Westmount, Ill. Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)
Joakim Ryan, Rumson, N.J. Cornell Univ. (ECACH)
Jordan Schmaltz, Verona, Wis. Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Patrick Sieloff, Ann Arbor, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Brady Skjei, Lakeville, Minn. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jacob Trouba, Rochester, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Andrew Welinski, Duluth, Minn. Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

FORWARDS (25)

Cole Bardreau, Fairport, N.Y. Cornell Univ. (ECACH)
Tyler Biggs, Binghamton, N.Y. Miami Univ. (CCHA)
Colin Blackwell, North Andover, Mass. Harvard Univ. (ECACH)
Reid Boucher, Grand Ledge, Mich. Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Travis Boyd, Hopkins, Minn. Uiv. of Minnesota (WCHA)
Alex Broadhurst, Orland Park, Ill. Geen Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Thomas DiPauli, Woodbridge, Ill. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Steve Fogarty, Chambersburg, Pa. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Alex Galchenyuk, Milwaukee, Wis. Srnia Sting (OHL)
John Gaudreau, Carneys Point, N.J. Bston College (HEA)
Rocco Grimaldi, Rossmoor, Calif. Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA)
Brian Hart, Cumberland, Maine Phillips-Exeter (HS)
Ryan Hartman, West Dundee, Ill. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Nicolas Kerdiles, Irvine, Calif. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Sean Kuraly, Dublin, Ohio Indiana Ice (USHL)
Mario Lucia, Plymouth, Minn. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Stefan Matteau Chicago, Ill. U.S. National Under-18 Team
J.T. Miller, East Palestine, Ohio Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Logan Nelson, Coon Rapids, Minn. Victoria Royals
Stefan Noesen, Plano, Texas Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Blake Pietila, Brighton, Mich. Michigan Tech Univ. (WCHA)
Adam Reid, Chino Hills, Calif. Northeastern Univ. (HEA)
Henrik Samuelsson, Scottsdale, Ariz. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Vince Trocheck, Pittsburgh, Pa. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Jim Vesey, North Reading, Mass. South Shore Kings (EJHL)