On New Years Day, USA Hockey announced the members of the US Men’s National Team for the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. Of the 23-man roster, six are connected to the great state of Ohio.
USA needs to name two more goalies to their roster. So, another name could possibly be added to this list.
Introducing the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s, Women’s & Paralympic Sled rosters! #TeamUSA 🇺🇸
Details → https://t.co/JcdKE6nLsz pic.twitter.com/Kl774zltCX
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 1, 2018
Chad Kolarik
Current Team
Chad Kolarik has spent the past two seasons playing for Adler Mannheim (DEL). Over the course of 85 games with Mannheim, he has scored 45 goals and 30 assists.
In 2017, led Mannheim to the playoffs where they were bounced by Eisbaren Berlin in the Quarterfinals. Over seven playoff games, Kolarik tallied nine points.
Ohio Connection
Kolarik was only part of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization from March 3, 2010, to November 11, 2010. He was traded alongside Matt Rust from the Arizona Coyotes to the Jackets in exchange for Alexandre Picard.
He played in two games with the Jackets before being sent to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. Over 30 games in the Jackets’ system, Kolarik tallied 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points.
On November 11th, 2010, Kolarik was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Dane Byers.
Broc Little
Current
Broc Little is currently playing for HC Davos of the NLA. In 37 games this season, Little has scored 19 goals and 13 assists.
Ohio Connection
On July 26, 2013, Little signed an AHL-Only contract with the Springfield Falcons. At the time the Massachusets based Falcons were the AHL affiliate of the Jackets.
After notching only eight points in 20 games, he was released from his contract that January.
Jim Slater
Current Team
Jim Slater currently plays for HC Fribourg-Gotteron. This season he has scored 26 points in the form of 12 goals and 14 assists.
Ohio Connection
From 1998-2001, Slater was a member of the NAHL’s Cleveland Junior Barons. The fan favorite played in 154 games over three seasons. By the end of Slater’s time in Cleveland, he racked up 75 goals and 107 assists.
They made the playoffs the three seasons he was on the team. In 11 postseason tilts, Slater scored 16 points.
Ryan Stoa
Current Team
Spartak Moskva of the KHL has been the home of Ryan Stoa for the past two seasons. Over 103 games, 35 goals and 28 assists have been tallied by him.
Ohio Connection
For three seasons, Stoa was a staple for the Cleveland Monsters scoring 109 points in 177 games.
He helped lead the Monsters to their first playoff berth in 2010-11. They were beaten by the Manitoba Moose in the first round. Stoa scored one goal in the Monsters’ seven-game playoff appearance.
James Wisniewski
Current Team
James Wisniewski plays in Germany for the EC Kassel Huskies. In 25 games this season, Wisniewski has scored 39 points in the form of eight goals and 31 assists.
Ohio Connection
Wisniewski came to the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 29th, 2011 in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens received a seventh-round 2012 draft pick which became a fifth-round draft pick upon signing Wisniewski.
The 51 points he notched during the 2013-14 season were a career high as well as placed Wisniewski in the top 10 among defenders. He also tallied 2 points in the Jackets second playoff appearance.
Over 209 games played, he tallied 121 points.
Wisniewski was a fan favorite during his time with the Jackets. To this day, many fans continue to speak highly of him and everything he brought to the city of Columbus.
Ryan Zapolski
Current Team
Ryan Zapolski is currently the starting goaltender for Jokerit of the KHL. He has a 1.63 GAA and .937 sav% this season.
Ohio Connection
Zapolski spent two seasons playing for the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the NAHL. During the 2006-07 season, he posted a save percentage of 92.9%. This was the best save percentage in the league.
He led them to two playoff appearances.
Zapolski spent the 2011-12 season bouncing from ECHL team to ECHL team. Two of the 15 games he played in the ECHL were spent with the Toledo Walleye. While he posted a 2.02 GAA and .932 sav%.