Hockey’s 10 Greatest Teams: #10 – 1996 Team USA

I had considered doing a Top 10 list of the greatest to ever play the game of hockey, but after viewing literally hundreds of these lists over the years, I decided to stir things up and try something a little more unique. I will present one of “Hockey’s Greatest Teams” each week over a ten week period. I’ll discuss why I think they are deserving of being ranked a top 10 team and what they accomplished as a team. Enjoy.

1996 Team USA

The United States isn’t recognized for having a potent hockey program, but at the 1996 World Cup without warning they shocked Team Canada by posting a 5-2 win achieving their first bona fide international hockey victory. Tony Amonte will forever be remembered for scoring the go-ahead goal beating Curtis Joseph.

“When we play against Canada, will we honestly believe in ourselves as a unit that can win, that we belong there? That’s the hurdle we have to jump if we’re going to win, and that’s what this training camp will be all about.” – Mike Richter

I think this win over Canada was the beginning of a new era for American hockey, the veteran hockey players for USA finally believed winning was possible. Never before was Team USA able to compete with the Canadian powerhouse, but having players such as Mike Modano, Pat LaFontaine, Chris Chelios, and a world class goalie in Mike Richter allowed them to not only compete, but eventually win the title over Canada.

Roster: Tony Amonte, Keith Tkachuk, Scott Young, Brian Rolston, Shawn McEachern, Mike Modano, Joel Otto, Bill Guerin, Shawn Chambers, Adam Deadmarsh, Steve Konawalchuk, Phil Housley, Bryan Smolinski, Doug Weight, Gary Suter, Mathieu Schneider, Chris Chelios, Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Pat LaFontaine, John LeClair, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch (captain), Guy Hebert, Mike Richter, Ron Wilson (coach).

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