Jonathan Quick to start in goal for Team USA over Ryan Miller

Jonathan Quick will make his Olympic debut on Thursday. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) The United States men's hockey team begins Olympic play on Thursday

Jonathan Quick will make his Olympic debut on Thursday. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The United States men's hockey team begins Olympic play on Thursday against Slovakia, and Jonathan Quick will be starting in goal for the Americans over Ryan Miller, who led Team USA to the gold-medal game in 2010.

Head coach Dan Bylsma made the announcement on Wednesday.

"I'm fortunate for the opportunity," Quick told Larry Lage of the Associated Press. "And I'll just try to make the most of it."

The move is only for Team USA's first preliminary-round game, not for the duration of the tournament, Bylsma said.

But Miller started all six games for the Americans in 2010. He went 5-1 with a .946 save percentage and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while Quick was the team's No. 3 goalie.

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"We've got a few great goalies here," Quick said. "Each one probably deserves to play and can make a case for each of them in their own right. So, regardless of what his decision was, whatever your role is, you're just trying to do what you can to help your team."

Quick, the Conn Smythe winner (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Kings, has a .911 save percentage with Los Angeles this season, which is tied for 28th in the league. The 28-year-old was out nearly two months with a groin injury before returning early last month.

The 33-year-old Miller has a .923 save percentage for the Sabres, who at 15-34-8 are the league's worst team by nine points.

Team USA also has Detroit's Jimmy Howard.

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Jonathan Quick to start in goal for U.S. tomorrow against Slovakia. #teamusa #usah

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 12, 2014