Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rats GM Selected to Represent USA

Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota Rink Rats GM was selected Co-GM of the US Olympic Team along with Michael Rhodes of the Anchorage Orcas. Ahead of the two GMs will be to prepare a roster that can compete on the international stage with the likes of the other nations included in the tournament. GM Rink Rat and Rhodes have a tough trip ahead of them narrowing the selection down to 25. The Minnesota Rink Rats have a few likely candidates in goaltender Ryan Miller and defenseman John-Michael Liles as well as recently traded Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Blake. The Anchorage Orcas also have some likely candidates in Ryan Whitney and Matt Carle as well as a few on the bubble.

The US will likely be one of the toughest competitors sporting a mix of veterans and youth. Some of the team’s top candidates include Mike Modano, Paul Stastny, Phil Kessel, Chris Drury, Ryan Kesler, Zach Parise, Blake, Keith Tkachuk, Brian Gionta, Bill Guerin, Langenbrunner, Patrick Kane, Whitney, Tom Poti, Brian Rafalski, Liles, Mike Komisarek, Carle, Tim Thomas and Miller. Rhodes and LaDouceur will be working out the roster in the coming weeks with the plan of announcing the squad before the holidays.

In other Rink Rats news, the Rats have been discussing some trade opportunities with plans on bringing in some additional help on the wings. Minnesota was apparently in discussions with the Portland Timberjacks on center Derrick Brassard, and has reportedly bowed out of those discussions with the asking price going up to high. Minnesota is still on the lookout for the right fit to bring some new blood into their squad. Reports state that the team is open to many possibilities and has been linked to deals involving the Cougars and Cats. They’ve also been linked to have inquired on a deal with the Snowdogs.

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