DENVER -- While Canada openly defied the NHL Players Association, the U.S. hockey team prepared to take the ice for their own practice sessions before the 2002 Olympics.

Team Canada, led by executive director and former NHL great Wayne Gretzky, began the first of four practice days Tuesday. The U.S. team was set to hold practices Wednesday and Thursday.

"With all due respect, I don't care what the Canadians are doing," U.S. coach Herb Brooks said Tuesday. "I'm sure they don't care what we're doing."

Under a recent agreement with the NHLPA, teams were allowed a minicamp as long as it does not last more than two days on the ice, with another two days for travel.

The Canadians planned four practice days -- complete with coaches, another violation of the agreement. Brooks said he will be on the ice this week as he tries to mold a group of NHL players who normally are enemies for nine months a year.

"They've got to come together and put on the same sweater," Brooks said. "I hope we'll understand the importance of cohesiveness. I hope we'll understand the synergy we'll have to develop to be competitive. I hope they understand the fact that they're representing a big movement here."

With five months remaining before the Salt Lake City Games, USA Hockey has 10 forwards, four defensemen and one goalie on its 23-man roster. Eight more players, including two goalies, will be selected by Dec. 22.

Brooks and the U.S. staff will evaluate potential Olympians this week, but roster additions won't necessarily be announced when the players leave Friday.

"It's something we have to evaluate on a daily basis," general manager Craig Patrick said. "We may and we may not. We haven't talked about any decisions coming out of here."

Brooks and Patrick plan to emphasize the importance of character as the Americans go about trying to shake the stigma of their destructive behavior at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Hours after the U.S. team failed to qualify for the medal round in Nagano, chairs were broken and fire extinguishers were discharged in the Olympic Village suite where the players stayed. One extinguisher was thrown from the fifth floor into a courtyard.

No player admitted guilt, and captain Chris Chelios later presented a $3,000 check to Japanese officials to cover the damage.

After being selected captain of the 2002 team, Chelios promised that the American players would be on their best behavior, and Brooks dismissed the subject during a news conference Tuesday.

"You treat them as professionals and go from there," he said. "Chris Chelios addressed that. ... I don't believe in bed checks. They know what's at stake."

Even with a roster of NHL players, the U.S. team faces a difficult road to a medal. Canada, the Czech Republic, Russia and Sweden also are considered "Dream Teams."

"We're every bit as good as they are," Patrick said. "It's going to come down to the games in February. There are some great players on those other clubs, but it's all about team building. That's why these next few days are very important."

The camp is vital for the Americans because they need to adapt to the larger international Olympic rink, which is 15 feet wider than in the NHL.

"It's difficult, there's no question," Brooks said. "They say it's the same for everybody, but in my estimation it's not the same. When the Europeans get on the larger rink, they know how to play that game. The Americans and Canadians grew up in a different atmosphere. To make that adjustment takes a little time."