Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican is going to Turin. Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller is staying home, and he’s not too pleased about the situation.

Hedican was named to the team Monday to fill a roster spot that opened up after a fellow defenseman suffered an injury.

USA Hockey also announced the three-person taxi squad, whose members will be pressed into action in Turin only if a player is knocked out of the tournament by injury.

One of those players is Miller, who has been one of the hottest goalies in the NHL over the past month and a half and was named NHL Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Meanwhile, fellow goalies Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders), Robert Esche (Philadelphia Flyers) and John Grahame (Tampa Bay Lightning) have struggled with injuries and inconsistent play.

“I’m disappointed it worked out this way,” he said. “The Olympics are a great honor, and I’m sorry I’m probably going to miss out on it. I’m just moving forward with my career, and I think I’m on a good path right now.”

When the original 23-man roster was chosen in December, Miller was left off because he was recovering from a thumb injury. He has since recovered and has been in peak form, compiling a 12-3 record since coming back Dec. 19. Miller will stay home on standby and not travel to Turin since there are already three goaltenders on the team.

“We made a decision back in December. We all wish we could make this decision today on your whole team because maybe some other positions would change also,” said general manager Don Waddell of the Atlanta Thrashers. “Ryan has come back from his injury and has performed very well, but we’re very comfortable with the three guys we’ve named and we’re going to roll with them.”

Hedican, who is married to Olympic champion skater Kristi Yamaguchi, will replace injured Los Angeles Kings defenseman Aaron Miller.

“To lose a guy like Aaron, certainly is a tough loss for our team,” said U.S. coach Peter Laviolette, who coaches the Hurricanes. “Bret is a guy we talked about when we were putting the team together and somebody I’m very comfortable with. He’s been one of our top defenseman here in Carolina.”

Hedican will be making his second Olympic appearance. He had no points in eight games during the 1992 Albertville Games – the same Olympics that Yamaguchi won the women’s figure skating gold medal and where they met.

“Just to have the opportunity to go back to the Olympics and have another shot at a medal is a dream come true,” Hedican said.

Yamaguchi, a two-time world champion, was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in December – one month after giving birth to the couple’s second daughter.

Hedican has five goals and 13 assists in 51 games with Carolina this season while averaging more than 20 minutes played per game.

The other additions to the taxi squad were Carolina forward Matt Cullen and New Jersey defenseman Paul Martin. Cullen and Martin will make the trip and will practice with the team in Italy.

With the additions of Hedican and Cullen, Carolina now has four players on the U.S. squad.

“I can guarantee that’s not why they’re on the team,” Laviolette said. “They’re on the team because they’ve earned it. Bret Hedican is on his way to one of his best years in the league.”

Aaron Miller, a member of the silver medalist American team at the 2002 Olympics, missed 16 games this season because of a back injury. He was out of the Los Angeles lineup from Dec. 23 to Jan. 24 and has played four games since returning.