by Mike Prisuta , Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Orpik's name was included with 33 others on June 30, when the roster for the 2009 United States Men's Olympic orientation camp was announced. In doing so, USA Hockey general manager Brian Burke acknowledged "turning a page to a large extent" as the U.S. continues to prepare for the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Feb. 12-28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

How many pages end up turning is to be determined.

Still, a message has been sent at home and abroad.

Left off the initial list were decorated-but-past-their-prime USA Hockey icons Keith Tkachuk, Mathieu Schneider, Jeremy Roenick, Doug Weight, Chris Chelios and Bill Guerin.

Scheduled to participate in the orientation camp, Aug. 17-19 in Woodbridge, Ill., are rising stars on the USA Hockey landscape such as David Booth, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel and Zach Parise.

USA Hockey assistant executive director Jim Johannson said the group of 34 represents a mere staring point toward the naming of the U.S. Olympic team, most likely in late December.

The camp will be devoted as much to orientation, familiarization and administration as it will skating.

"They won't be combative practices," Johannson said.

The best way to make the team, for those in Illinois in August and those currently on the outside looking in, will be through "good, consistent play through the first few months," of the upcoming NHL season, Johannson said.

Toward that end, members of the old guard such as Guerin, who joined the Penguins at the trade deadline and helped spearhead a run to the Stanley Cup, have been kept in the loop, Johannson said.

But that said, the door has clearly been opened for USA Hockey: The Next Generation.

For T.J. Oshie, Kyle Okposo and Dustin Byfuglien, that door might be opening a bit ahead of schedule (they'll get there eventually; perhaps not this time).

Orpik stands out with those whose time has seemingly arrived.

"It's a step in the right direction," Penguins general manager Ray Shero, a member of USA Hockey's National Team Advisory Group, said of Orpik's inclusion. "He's been on everyone's radar since last year. He's certainly a strong candidate."

Orpik will be 29 when the Games begin, in his sixth NHL season and in his prime.

He personifies all that USA Hockey should hope for and demand from its players - a tough competitor with leadership characteristics and a championship pedigree.

Brian Rafalski does, too. He'll be 36 in September and doesn't appear in danger of relinquishing his spot.

The same can't be said for Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and Mike Modano.

They'll have to fight to remain on a roster that figures to have plenty of youthful hunger, energy and enthusiasm, especially if it includes Erik Johnson (21), Jack Johnson (22), Mike Komisarek (27), Ryan Suter (24), David Backes (25), Booth (24), Dustin Brown (24), Kane (20), Kessel (21), Parise (24) and Bobby Ryan (22).

Those names belong on the list - assuming all stay healthy and play as anticipated next season.

With great respect to their USA Hockey predecessors, such a transition is inevitable.

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