Derek Roy, Ryan Miller Olympic Hopefuls

This past week saw the release of the the Olympic Training Camp roster invitees by both Team USA and Hockey Canada.  Among the 34 players chosen to represent the US of A, and 46 chosen for Canada were Ryan Miller (USA) and surprisingly enough, Derek Roy (Canada).

To say both these guys have differing odds to make their respective team’s rosters would be an understatement.  One would assume Miller will be battling with Boston’s Tim Thomas for the starting role in between the pipes, while Roy is roadblocked at the Center position by some of the world’s greatest talent.  Crosby, Iginla, Thorton, and Lecavalier all stand a far greater chance than Roy, even with his head coach vouching for him.

If you’d recall Miller was considered a snub back in 2006, when the illustrious John Grahame and Robert Esche were chosen over the Sabres netminder.  No such snub was made this year, as it seems the 2 best American netminders will be jostling for that number 1 spot.

Derek Roy on the other hand is quite the interesting pick.  Although a strong 2 way forward, he simply can’t be on the same radar as a similar type player in Mike Richards.  However, we as Sabres fans know how creative he can be offensively, and with Lindy Ruff behind the bench, it seems Roy will be given a look, if not for future international contests as well.  Of course, let’s not forget Roy had a strong World Championships.  A long shot to say the least, but it must be an honor to even receive the invite for Derek.

Any Sabres get snubbed?  Perhaps.  Jason Pominville, Tim Connolly, Drew Stafford, and Paul Gaustad were all rumored to be getting looks, and Stafford even played at the Worlds this past year.  Now Brian Burke has stated that just because they weren’t invited to the 34 player camp doesn’t mean they won’t make the Olympic roster, why this would be the case, I haven’t a clue.

Well I suppose it would be remiss of me to not mention other Sabres who will inevitably make an Olympic roster come 2010.  Max Afinogenov, a quadrennial (is that right?) performer during Olympic play would almost assuredly be given a spot on the Russian squad.  Jochen Hecht joined Team Germany in Torino during 2006.  Thomas Vanek is Team Austria.  Former Sabre, current UFA, Teppo Numminen, has been a mainstay on Finland’s blueline for years.

Congratulations to all these guys on the opportunity to represent their countries in Vancouver next Winter.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Derek Roy, Ryan Miller, Team Canada, Team USA, Thomas Vanek