Minnesota high school hockey will be well-represented next month in Sochi, Russia when the U.S. men’s hockey team begins play in the Winter Olympics.

Of the eight Minnesotans on the 25-man roster, six of them played high school hockey in the state. St. Louis Blues captain David Backes played at Spring Lake Park, the New York Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh played at Cretin-Derham Hall, Pittsburgh’s Paul Martin played at Elk River, Carolina’s Justin Faulk played at South St. Paul, Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler played at Breck and St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie played at Warroad.

Martin (2000) and McDonough (2007) are Mr. Hockey award winners, and Backes (2002) and Oshie (2005) were finalists for the award given annually to the state’s top senior skater. 

The U.S. Olympic team roster also includes the Minnesota Wild’s Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, as well as Hastings native Derek Stepan.