Defenseman Ryan Whitney was added to the U.S. Olympic roster for the Vancouver Games this morning.

“It will be amazing,” Whitney said. “I’ve played for my country before and it’s quite a feeling. It’s really a feeling like no other.”

The 26-year-old has represented Team USA at the 2001 World U18 Championships (Heinola/Helsinki/Lahi, Finland), the 2002 World Junior Championships (Pardubice/Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) and the 2003 World Junior Championships (Halifax/Sydney, Canada).

This season for the Ducks, he has four goals and 24 points — tied for seventhamong U.S.-born defensemen in the NHL –through 57 games. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason was also named to the team on Thursday.

“You have a lot of pride, you’re just happy to be a part of the team that’s representing your nation,” Whitney said. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I think it’s going to be quite an experience.”

Whitney joins teammates Bobby Ryan (USA), Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (Canada), Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne (Finland), Jonas Hiller and Sbisa (Switzerland). Ryan and Whitney become the second and third Ducks selected to Team USA in franchise history and could be the first to appear in a game. Former Ducks goaltender Guy Hebert was named to the 1998 Team USA Olympic squad, but did not play.

Ducks prospect Luca Sbisa, who is playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, is also expected to play for Team Switzerland.