"Bill Guerin belongs to what Brian Burke a few days ago called "the greatest generation" of U.S. hockey players.

It's hard to disagree.

Guerin is part of a group of guys like Chris Chelios, Mike Modano, Brian Leetch, Keith Tkachuk, John LeClair, Mike Richter and Tony Amonte who carried the country's colors into numerous international competitions during the past two decades.

A group that, if not for the goings-on in a village in upstate New York early in 1980, produced what likely would be hailed as the national team's greatest moment, a victory in the 1996 World Cup. The third-period comeback in the title game against Canada in Montreal remains one of the signature feats of any U.S. hockey team.

Burke, general manager of Team USA for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, said he hopes to have his 23-man roster set sometime this week, although it won't be announced until Jan. 1.

And while he acknowledged the contributions made by Guerin and his peers, he stopped far short of committing to have any of them in Vancouver.

"We've put some exciting young players in the league the last three or four years, the [Phil] Kessels and [Patrick] Kanes of the world," Burke said. "We've got some grizzled veterans who have participated and competed, the Tkachuks, Modanos and Guerins."