Meet the men in goal for the U.S. Olympic hockey team

One oddity created by the NHL decision not to allow its players go to the 2018 Olympics is that European fans are more familiar with the American goaltending trio than U.S. fans.

With David Leggio (German League) and Brandon Maxwell (Czech League) announced as the final two goalies Thursday, it means none of the American goalies have played in the U.S. since the 2014-15 season. The first goalie named — Ryan Zapolski, 31 — is a Kontinental Hockey League standout. The KHL is Europe's best pro league.

“(Playing) at a consistent level the last five years in Europe, (Zapolski) has been a top goaltender,” U.S. general manager Jim Johannson said. “He’s always played on teams that have had success, but at times they’ve needed to rely on a goaltender to carry them through some games and he’s capable of doing that.”

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The Americans delayed naming their final goalies because they wanted more time to evaluate five goalies, including the U.S. goalies playing at the world junior championships. They settled on Leggio and Maxwell because of their experience and skill set. Both players were on the American roster at the Deutschland Cup two months ago.

“Both are very experienced in Europe and understand the game over there,” Johannson said.

One lure for Maxwell, 26, is his ability to move the puck to his defensemen. “He’s an elite puck-handling goaltender,” Johannson said. “That’s something that definitely factored into our discussion … that potentially gives you another weapon on your breakout.”

Johannson said Leggio, 33, is known as a consistent performer and an exceptional teammate.

“He’s accepted whatever role he’s been in, but whenever he’s gotten an opportunity to play he has kept his team in games,” Johannson said.

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None of the U.S. goalies have played in the NHL. Zapolski played in the ECHL before jumping to the Finnish league and now the KHL. Leggio played in the American Hockey League before joining EHC Munich in Germany. Maxwell has been playing in Europe since 2013-14.

Boasting a 1.63 goals-against average for Jokerit (Finland) in the KHL, Zapolski projects to be the No. 1 goalie. But the Americans have back-to-back games against Slovakia and Russia in the preliminary round, and could face other back-to-back situations. Also, in short tournaments, goalie switches are not rare. 

“All (of our goalies) have had real solid years,” U.S. coach Tony Granato said. “… We are excited about the depth.”