The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - January 2nd, 2014

Former Colorado Avalanche player John-Micheal Liles was traded.

Liles was on the ice at the Winter Classic in warm-up on Wednesday afternoon but didn’t dress for the game and was on his way to Washington immediately following the game to meet his new teammates.

“John-Michael wanted to get traded today,” Nonis said. “He wants to play. This is a situation where he is going to be able to.”

Team USA announced the roster for the 2014 Olympics, and Paul Stastny made the team -this is an article that discusses how the choice was made (video starts automatically).

During a Nov. 19 conference call, Team USA general manager David Poile told his selection committee that he had a dream about Jack Johnson not making the Olympic team.

"I'm announcing the roster and there is no Jack Johnson on the team and I'm thinking there must be a mistake," the Nashville Predators general manager said.

Poile's dream became Johnson's reality because the Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman and 10-time U.S. national team member was indeed not chosen for the team, announced at Wednesday's Winter Classic.

Stamkos is still aiming to be part of the Sochi experience.

Steven Stamkos continued to skate towards his Olympic dream Wednesday, hoping he can recover from a broken leg in time for the Sochi Games next month.

Stamkos skated in Vancouver after his Tampa Bay Lightning squad held a morning practice in preparation for a game against the Canucks.

After undergoing surgery, he is hoping to fast-track his return in time to represent Canada at the Games for the first time in his career. He aims to be ready to play with the Lightning before he goes to Russia.