SOCHI - Jonathan Quick of the {Los Angeles|La|L . a .} Kings has been named {as the|because the|since the} starter for the United States {for the|for that|for your} first game of the 2014 Sochi {Olympics|Olympic games}, coach Dan Bylsma announced {Wednesday|Thursday|Friday}.

The Americans play Slovakia on {Thursday|Thurs|Thursday night} at Shayba Arena (7:{30|Thirty|25} a.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC).

Perhaps {the most important|the most crucial|the main} decision Bylsma will make during his {time in|amount of time in|in time} Russia was delivered {in the|within the|inside the} most casual of ways {before the|prior to the|ahead of the} third and final {practice|exercise|apply} for the team, which {took place|happened|occurred} at the Bolshoy Ice Dome.

"It was {pretty|fairly|quite} casual," Quick said. "{We were|I was|We had been} on the ice stretching {and he|and that he|and the man} just came over {and|as well as|and also} said it.Bobby Doerr Jersey

"We have three great goalies {on this|about this|with this} team and everyone wants to {start|begin|commence}. I'm just fortunate {for the|for that|for your} opportunity and want to make the best of {it|this|that}."

For Quick, the start against the Slovaks {completes|finishes|wraps up} a stunning four-year ascension from third-string goalie {in the|within the|inside the} 2010 Vancouver Olympics {to|in order to|to be able to} starter in the first {game|sport|video game} for the Americans this time around. {In between|Among|Between}, Quick also won {a|the|any} Stanley Cup, leading the {Kings|Nobleman|Leaders} to the title in 2012.

In {the three|the 3|these} postseasons since the 2010 Olympics, {Quick|Fast|Speedy} has won 29 Stanley {Cup|Mug|Pot} Playoff games, including 16 {in 2012|this year|next year}.Dan Uggla Jersey

"I think the biggest thing is being {able to|in a position to|capable of} play with the guys I {play with|have fun with|enjoy} back in L.A.," {he said|he explained|he was quoted saying}. "This says a lot {about them|about the subject|on them}. When you play with great {players|gamers|participants} they put you in a position {for|with regard to|regarding} opportunities like this."

Quick, who {became a|was a|had been a} full-time NHL starter six years ago, {has|offers|provides} won 35 or more regular-season {games|video games|game titles} three times.

"I'm happy {for|with regard to|regarding} him as a teammate," {said|stated|mentioned} Dustin Brown, a center {for the|for that|for your} American team and the {captain|chief|skipper} for the Kings. "I think {he has|he's|he's got} played well enough since the {last|final|previous} Olympics to earn {a spot|an area|a place}.Jimmie Foxx Jersey"

Bylsma said Quick's recent pedigree {played|performed|enjoyed} a role in the decision, {perhaps|possibly|maybe} trumping the Olympic pedigree of {Ryan|Thomas|Jones} Miller, who will serve as {the|the actual|the particular} backup against Slovakia.

Miller, of the {Buffalo|Zoysia|Buffalo grass} Sabres, was the starter {for the|for that|for your} Americans in 2010, winning {the Most|probably the most|one of the most} Valuable Player award {when the|once the|if the} Americans finished second, {losing|dropping|shedding} the gold-medal game to {Canada|North america|Europe} in overtime. Miller {started|began|started out} every game for the Americans {four years|4 years} ago.

"It was the coach's {decision|choice|selection}," Miller said. "Obviously, {I want to|I wish to|I would like to} play and compete {and|as well as|and also} do my part.Josh Beckett Jersey {Right now|At this time|Today}, I will just back up Jon. {He's|He is|He has} a great goalie and he {is going to do|can do|will perform} great for us. We'll {see|observe|notice} where it goes from here {and|as well as|and also} I'll just be ready to {play|perform|enjoy}."

Miller may still get that opportunity.

Bylsma {stressed|anxious|pressured} Wednesday his decision {is only|is just|is merely} for the game against Slovakia. {He has|He's|He's got} not made a commitment to stick {with|along with|together with} Quick and does not know {at this point|at this time|at this stage} if Miller will see {time in|amount of time in|in time} the preliminary round, {which features|featuring|showcasing} games against Russia {on|upon|about} Saturday and Slovenia on {Sunday|Weekend|Saturday}.

Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings {is the|may be the|will be the} third goalie on the {U|Ough|You}.S. roster.

Author: Shawn P. Roarke | NHL.{com|org|net} Senior Managing Editor