'This time, it's gonna be different'

Team USA has flipped the script since the last Winter Olympics.

The Americans expect to be among the favorites to win gold at the Sochi Games in six months' time after winning silver and coming within a goal of knocking off Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

"The only people that thought we had a chance were probably the guys in the locker room, or our coaches and management of USA Hockey," Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane said on Tuesday. "This time, it's gonna be different."

USA Hockey has invited 48 of its top prospects - including 16 players from its 2010 team - for off-ice workouts and meetings at the Washington Capitals' training facility in Arlington, Virginia.

The players will get picked to play based on their body of work and how well they perform early in the NHL season.

The final roster will be announced on Jan 1 after Detroit and Toronto play in the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

"We'll have much harder decisions to make picking this team than we had in 2010," said GM Brian Burke. "That's what you want.

"This time the expectation is much different. We're going over to Sochi with the mindset of winning a gold medal."

Associated Press