------------------- USA's pre-Olympic tour team keeps three goalies August 27, 1997 (c) USA Today ------------------- LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — After 6 days of grinding tryouts, U.S. women's hockey coach Ben Smith made his picks late Tuesday night at the Olympic Training Center. Forward Cammi Granato, who owns the most recognizable name in women's hockey? Definitely. Defenseman Kelly O'Leary, who combines fierce determination with intimidating size and strength? No question. Goaltender Erin Whitten, a trailblazer in women's goaltending? Even though she was shaky in 3 of her 4 games in the Olympic tryouts, Whitten survived because of past performance. They were 3 of the 25 players selected to the U.S. national team, which will participate in a pre-Olympic tour leading up to the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, where women's hockey debuts. Smith kept 3 goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 15 forwards. Dominating the roster are past national team players like Granato and O'Leary, whose skill, confidence and experience were obvious in the 6-day tryouts. Granato, one of the leaders of the team, is not the fastest, strongest or biggest player, but she finds ways to produce. As a precaution, she sat out several games because she spent the summer rehabilitating a back injury. Expect Granato to move back to center. Sandra Whyte centered the top line at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in the spring when Granato was switched to wing because of her injury. With her athletic ability and strong conditioning, Whyte gives the coaching staff flexibility. Defensive responsibilities are not even out of the question for her. Forwards Laurie Baker and Tricia Dunn have the potential to develop into dominant players. Dunn is one of the team's most powerful skaters. Although she was held out of most games because of a shoulder injury, forward Shelley Looney proved to be too valuable to let go. Her toughness is unquestioned. She should begin playing again in October. Forward Lisa Brown-Miller, who resigned as Princeton's women's hockey coach last year to devote more time to making the Olympic team, is the oldest player at 30. Veterans O'Leary, Chris Bailey, Vicki Movsessian and Colleen Coyne will anchor the defense, although rising stars Angela Ruggiero and Tara Mounsey are expected to play critical roles. Ruggiero, 17, plays with poise and confidence. Goaltending should be solid with Whitten, Sarah Tueting, who played behind Whitten in the U.S. women's training program last season, and Sara DeCosta, who forced coaches to keep a third goaltender. None of the 25 players is assured a spot in the Olympics. With 20-player rosters, Smith has more cuts to make. But late Tuesday night, 25 players moved a step closer to their dreams. Another 30 players had their hearts shattered. Some will retire. Others could represent the USA in the 2002 Winter Games. By Sharon Raboin, USA TODAY -------------------