Even if you're not a fan of New York-area hockey, there's an enticing reason to catch the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils showdown Wednesday night on ESPN.
While many of its stars are already on board and the majority of the squad has been named, USA Hockey will officially announce the rest of its roster for the 2002 men's hockey team during the 6 p.m. national telecast.
Fifteen of the 23 players have previously been selected to the U.S. Olympic team, including star forwards Brett Hull (Detroit), Mike Modano (Dallas), Jeremy Roenick (Philadelphia), Chris Drury (Colorado), Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis), Tony Amonte (Chicago), Doug Weight (St. Louis), John LeClair (Philadelphia), Bill Guerin (Boston) and Scott Young (St. Louis).
Defenseman Chris Chelios (Detroit) has been named captain of Team USA and will be joined on the blue line by Gary Suter (San Jose), Brian Rafalski (New Jersey) and Brian Leetch (N.Y. Rangers).
Nashville's Mike Dunham is the only goalie to be put on the team so far.
According to ESPN Insider, Rangers forward Mike York and Kings forward Adam Deadmarsh will be added to the already deep offensive bench. York appears to be a no-brainer as he is currently the top-scoring American, having notched 36 points in as many games on 14 goals and 22 assists this season.
Edmonton's Tom Poti and Dallas' Derian Hatcher are the likely additions in the defensive department, according to ESPN Insider, which also tabs Rangers goalie Mike Richter, a seasoned international veteran, and Carolina's Tom Barrasso as the other netminders.
Los Angeles' Mathieu Schneider and the Islanders' Mark Parrish, currently the fourth-leading U.S. scorer, are the Insiders' choices for alternates. Phoenix goalie Robert Esche and Kings' Bryan Smolinski and Aaron Miller would fill spots in case of injuries.
OLYMPIC TV COVERAGE: NBC announced Tuesday that the 2002 Winter Games will have more comprehensive, live hockey coverage than any team sport has ever received at any Olympics, summer or winter.
Thirty of 32 men's hockey games will be broadcast live in the Olympic tournament. That includes all of the final-round games after NHL players join the tourney from Feb. 15 through the gold-medal game on Feb. 24.
CNBC, being dubbed "The Hockey Channel," will have wall-to- wall coverage, while NBC will televise seven games live, including the bronze- and gold-medal games.
Eleven of the 16 women's games will also be on live TV.
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