After the NHL announced they would not participate in the 2018 Olympics, the American Hockey League announced that players on AHL-only contracts would be allowed to participate in the games held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

According to NHL writer John Hoven, longtime Hershey Bears forward and AHL legend Chris Bourque has made the 2018 squad and will be competing for Team USA.

Hoven, who is currently in Buffalo covering the World Junior Championship Tournament, tweeted out the potential USA team, which includes a variety of AHL, European and college players.

Along with Bourque, the team includes former Hershey Bears forward Ryan Sota along with former U-20 Team USA members Troy Terry and Jordan Greenway and former NHL defenseman James Wisniewski.

The full team list is:

• Mark Arcobello
• Chad Billins
• Jonathon Blum
• Will Borgen
• Chris Bourque
• Bobby Butler
• Ryan Donato
• Mart Gilroy
• Brian Gionta
• Jordan Greenway
• Ryan Gunderson
• Chad Kolarik
• Brock Little
• John McCarthy
• Brian O’Neill
• Garret Roe
• Bobby Sanguinetti
• Jim Slater
• Ryan Stoa
• Troy Terry
• Noah Welch
• James Wisniewski
• Ryan Zapolski

The final USA team announcement will come on New Year’s Day during the second intermission of the NHL Winter Classic in New York.

Bourque, a 33rd overall pick by the Capitals in 2004, has been involved with Capitals organization for nine seasons over the past 13 years. The future AHL Hall of Fame forward re-signed with the Bears for the current season in a deal that includes a mutual option for the 2018-19 season.

Headline Image: Cara Bahniuk