With Talent Abundant, U.S. Makes Tough Cuts ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Jack Johnson, an American-born defenseman, is a 10-time national team member who played on the 2010 United States Olympic team that won a silver medal at the Vancouver Games and came within one goal of the gold. Johnson's patriotism runs so deep that he traveled to Canada at his own expense four years ago to march in the opening ceremony ahead of the hockey competition. Johnson played a pivotal role in the development of United States men's hockey into a perennial world power, but as the nation tries to take the next step at next month's Sochi Games and win Olympic gold for the first time since its improbable victory in 1980, Johnson finds himself the odd defenseman out. Johnson, 26, of the Columbus Blue Jackets, was one of a few players from the 2010 squad under consideration for inclusion on this year's team who did not make the final cut. The 25-player roster was unveiled Wednesday at the conclusion of the Toronto Maple Leafs" 3-2 shootout victory against the Detroit Red Wings at the Winter Classic. Other players left out included Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (no relation); Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan, who is on pace for his fifth 30-goal season; and goaltender Tim Thomas. The Olympic team features three members of the Rangers: defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forwards Ryan Callahan and Derek Stepan. Callahan is one of 13 holdovers from the squad that competed in Vancouver. A 14th player, Paul Martin, made the team in 2010 but did not play because of a broken arm. Martin, 32, broke his leg in November but is expected to return this month. "We're fortunate to have probably the deepest talent pool we've ever had in our country, and that made for some very difficult decisions," said David Poile, the general manager of the 2014 United States Olympic men's hockey team. The roster has 14 forwards, 8 defensemen and 3 goaltenders. Goaltender Ryan Miller, 33, the standout performer of the 2010 Olympic team, is the oldest member. Justin Faulk, a 21-year-old defenseman, is the youngest. The average age is 27. The United States women's team was introduced during the second intermission Wednesday. It features 11 holdovers from the squad that won a silver medal in Vancouver and includes Amanda Kessel, a prolific scorer whose brother, Phil, a member of the Maple Leafs, was named to the men's team. Faulk, who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes, is part of the new wave sweeping some American veterans aside. At the 2013 world championships in Sweden, he contributed six assists to help the Americans win the bronze medal. Poile, the general manager and president of hockey operations for the Nashville Predators, recognized Faulk and another young defenseman, Cam Fowler, 22, as being emblematic of what he called the "good news/bad news" state of United States hockey. "The quality of the U.S. players is growing at a fantastic rate," Poile said. In the final analysis, he added, his decisions rested not on what players were lacking, but on what they had to offer. In choosing the team, Poile said, he was looking not for the 25 best players, but for the 25 players who would mesh the best. When he scouted players, little things mattered: face-off success rates, skating speed, chemistry. There are two forwards on the United States team whose ability to work together is not in doubt. The Maple Leafs" James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel are linemates and expect to play together in Sochi. As if to seal the deal, van Riemsdyk scored in the second period Wednesday on an assist from Kessel. Poile mentioned a few players left off the team, a group that included Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop, who are having fine seasons. Bishop has posted better numbers than the Red Wings" Jimmy Howard. While acknowledging that Bishop "has played fabulous," Poile noted Howard's experience with playoff pressure. Howard was the third goaltender chosen, along with Miller and the Los Angeles Kings" Jonathan Quick, who is poised to return from a groin injury. "This is the first time we're having to make the kind of decisions that Canada's been making for years," Poile said. Tough, tough decisions.