USHL U.S. National Team

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Published on December 16, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to United States Hockey League action at home Friday against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 7:05 p.m. EST. The U18s will also take on the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday at 7:05 p.m. EST at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube... The U.S. National Under-17 Team is off until Dec. 28 when it meets Team Quebec in its only tune-up prior to the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. For details, see link below.

UNDER-18 HEAD COACH KURT KLEINENDORST: Kurt Kleinendorst is in his first season at the NTDP. Prior to coming to Ann Arbor, Kleinendorst spent three seasons (2006-09) as the first-ever head coach for the American Hockey League's Lowell Devils, top minor-league affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. Kleinendorst also spent one season as an assistant coach with the NHL's Devils in 2000-01. He has led the U.S. National Under-18 Team to a 17-9-0-2 (W-L-T-OTL) record this season.

UNDER-17 HEAD COACH RON ROLSTON: Ron Rolston is in his sixth season as a head coach at the NTDP. Rolston has compiled a career record of 199-122-7-18 (W-L-T-OTL).

U.S. NAT'L U18 TEAM NOTES: Nick Shore's (Denver, Colo.) three-point (1-2) weekend put him atop Team USA's leader board with 21 points (9-12) so far this season... Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich.) collected four assists over the weekend to extend his team lead to 16 this season. Merrill paces all defensemen with 20 points this season... Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev.) notched his 11th goal of the season Saturday, which ties him with Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn.) for the team high in that category... Zucker, Merrill and Matthew Nieto (Long Beach, Calif./10-10--20) are tied for second on the squad with 20 points each... The U.S. National Under-18 Team will be without goaltender Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.), Merrill, Faulk and Zucker as the four will be participating at the preliminary camp for the U.S. National Junior Team in Grand Forks, N.D., Dec. 17-19. See link below for details... Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y.) earned his team-best ninth victory in net for Team USA Saturday. He also lowered his goals-against average to 2.09 and raised his save percentage to.914.

U.S. NAT'L U17 TEAM NOTES: The U.S. National Under-17 Team is coming off of its most successful weekend in USHL competition, having earned three of a possible four points against the Youngstown Phantoms, see link below for details... Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.) had a standout weekend with a five-point (2-3) performance. Grimaldi scored the game-tying goal in Team USA's overtime loss Friday and netted the game-winner Saturday. Grimaldi leads Team USA with 16 points (7-9)... Robbie Russo (Westmont, Ill.) also had a solid weekend, collecting four points, including a three-assist night Friday. Russo is tied with Michael Paliotta (Westport, Conn.) for the point lead among U.S. blueliners with 11 each. Both players have two goals and nine assists. Russo, Paliotta and Grimaldi's nine helpers each are tied for the team high... Blake Pietila (Bright, Mich.) recorded his team-best ninth goal of the season Saturday with a shorthanded tally... Netminder Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) earned his first USHL victory Saturday after making 31 saves. McNeely's goals-against average has continued to shrink and is now at 4.23.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: So far during the 2009-10 season, 41 NTDP alumni have suited up in at least one NHL game, while there are currently 39 NTDP alumni in the American Hockey League. USA HOCKEY Eighteen players with ties to the NTDP have been named to the preliminary roster for the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Regina & Saskatoon, Sask. The final roster will be announced on Dec. 23. For details, see link below... Nathan Gerbe (2003-05) made his season debut with the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 9 and registered his first-career NHL goal in the game... Justin Mercier (2004-05) made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 9... Erik Johnson (2004-06), of the St. Louis Blues, leads all American-born defensemen with 21 points (4-17)... Columbus Blue Jacket R.J. Umberger (1998-2000) has been on a tear of late and has 25 points (11-14), good for second on the team... Patrick Kane (2004-06) leads the Chicago Blackhawks with 30 points (10-20).

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2009


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