Three Kings Get Invitations to Olympic Camp

King defensemen Aaron Miller and Tim Gleason and forward Dustin Brown were among 39 players invited by USA Hockey to attend an Olympic orientation camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 5 through 8.

Also invited were two-time Olympians Bill Guerin, Mike Modano, Keith Tkachuk and Doug Weight. The list omitted veterans Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, Brett Hull and Jeremy Roenick, but General Manager Don Waddell said he’d probably add them to the list of 60 to 70 names he will submit to the U.S. Olympic Committee by Oct. 1.

“Dustin and Tim are two young players who had great years,” Waddell said Thursday. “Dustin has played for the Kings and proved he’s going to be a very, very good NHL player. Whether they’re ready for the Olympics, we’ll let their play decide the first few months of the season. But they’ll be part of USA Hockey for years to come.”

Waddell said he expects to appoint a coach by the end of next week.

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The Kings exercised their 2005-06 option on defenseman Mike Weaver and agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with goaltender Ryan Munce. Weaver had 23 points and a plus-35 plus/minus ratio with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League last season. Munce was 12-32-6 for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League last season.

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Helene Elliott

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Team USA hockey

U.S. players invited to try out for the 2006 Winter Olympics:

*--* GOALIES Player Birthplace NHL Team Ty Conklin Anchorage Edmonton Oilers Rick DiPietro Winthrop, Mass. New York Islanders Robert Esche Utica, N.Y. Philadelphia Flyers Ryan Miller East Lansing, Mich. Buffalo Sabres DEFENSEMEN Bryan Berard Woonsocket, R.I. Chicago Blackhawks Mark Eaton Wilmington, Del. Nashville Predators Hal Gill Concord, Mass. Boston Bruins Tim Gleason Southfield, Mich. KINGS Derian Hatcher Sterling Heights, Mich. Free Agent Jordan Leopold Golden Valley, Minn. Calgary Flames John-Michael Liles Zionsville, Ind. Colorado Avalanche Paul Martin Minneapolis New Jersey Devils Aaron Miller Buffalo, N.Y. KINGS Brian Pothier New Bedford, Mass. Ottawa Senators Brian Rafalski Dearborn, Mich. New Jersey Devils Andy Roach Mattawan, Mich. St. Louis Blues Ryan Suter Madison, Wis. Nashville Predators David Tanabe Minneapolis Phoenix Coyotes FORWARDS Jason Blake Moorhead, Minn. New York Islanders Dustin Brown Ithaca, N.Y. KINGS Erik Cole Oswego, N.Y. Carolina Hurricanes Matt Cullen Virginia, Minn. Carolina Hurricanes Chris Drury Trumbull, Conn. Buffalo Sabres Brian Gionta Rochester, N.Y. New Jersey Devils Scott Gomez Anchorage New Jersey Devils Bill Guerin Wilbraham, Mass. Dallas Stars Jeff Halpern Potomac, Md. Washington Capitals Chris Higgins Smithtown, N.Y. Montreal Canadiens Ryan Kesler Livonia, Mich. Vancouver Canucks Mike Knuble Toronto Philadelphia Flyers Steve Konowalchuk Salt Lake City Colorado Avalanche Ryan Malone Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins Mike Modano Livonia, Mich. Free Agent Zach Parise Minneapolis New Jersey Devils Richard Park Seoul Minnesota Wild Mark Parrish Edina, Minn. New York Islanders Brian Rolston Flint, Mich. Minnesota Wild Keith Tkachuk Melrose, Mass. St. Louis Blues Doug Weight Warren, Mich. St. Louis Blues

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