Goligoski Deserves a Spot on USA Olympic Team

People are starting to take notice of young Alex Goligoski’s Paul Coffee like abilities and why not, this kid is proving to be #1. Goligoski was not one of the twelve 12 defensemen invited to the USA Olympic camp, (Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter & Ryan Whitney), but he ranks #1 in points scored per game, he ranks #1 in goals scored and has the #1 plus minus rating of every USA defenseman playing in the NHL and the #1 shooting percentage. He is also tied for 1st among players with the lowest amount of penalty minutes, which is very important if you’ve ever seen the Olympic powerplay teams.

If you question his ability to play in pressure filled situations, look at the job he did filling in for Gonchar in the playoffs for the Penguins last year and the year before he led the WBS Penguins to the Calder Cup Championship leading them in scoring. He also has experience playing on a world stage playing for the U.S. in the 2005 World Junior Championships.

What does he think of all the attention? “There’s so many guys, who knows which way it’ll go, It would definitely be a cool thing. Obviously it would be unbelievable. … It would be a great honor. We’ll see.”

He has made it onto many hockey writers short lists:     
Tough decision yield Team USA roster changes
Goligoski a U.S. hopeful
2010 U.S. Olympic Team: Locks & Contenders

Lets just hop Brian Burke comes to his senses and notices that Goligoski’s presence would be the only thing that gives Team USA a chance. His scoring ability, powerplay ability and his ability to bring the puck up the ice should make this a no brainer.