Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad is having a fine sophomore season for the defending Stanley Cup champs. As of right now, it wasn't enough to merit a spot on the U.S.A. Olympic hockey team.
Saad wasn't named to the squad headed for Sochi in February. However, this wasn't a snub and shouldn't be taken as such.
Nearly making the national team in his second full season is a positive for the 21-year-old. It's also something that can continue to drive Saad as he continues to develop.
Saad moved up to the second line in Friday night's game in New Jersey and was credited with a goal in the 'Hawks 5-3 win over the Devils. The assist came from new line mate Patrick Kane, who was the lone American representative from Chicago.
Saad now has 15 goals and 16 assists in 44 games for the Blackhawks. This comes on the heels of a 27-point effort in 46 games in the 2012-13 season. He's certainly shown that he can flourish in a variety of roles, which is what may felt would earn him a spot on the Olympic roster.
ESPN's Scott Burnside chronicled the selection process that ended with the naming of the 25-man roster. From that story ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jon Fromi
Chicago Blackhawks: Brandon Saad Wasn’t Snubbed by USA Hockey
January 4th, 2014 by Jon Fromi Leave a reply »
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