NAHL U.S. National Team

16 U.S. National Under-18 Team Players Sign NCAA National Letters of Intent

Published on November 16, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sixteen players from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program signed National Collegiate Athletic Association National Letters of Intent with nine colleges and universities yesterday.

"This is an exciting day for our players, as many of them have dreamed of this day for some time," said John Hynes, U.S. National Under-18 Team head coach. "Signing the letter is another positive step in their development as student-athletes."

Among those committing is defenseman Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn.). Johnson leads the U.S. National Under-18 Team in power-play goals and ranks second in points with seven (3-4) in nine games played against NCAA opponents this year. Johnson will join current teammates Jamie McBain (Faribault, Minn.), Ryan Flynn (Lino Lakes, Minn.) and Michael Carman (Apple Valley, Minn.) at the University of Minnesota next season.

Also signing a letter of intent was Brian Strait (Waltham, Mass.). The U.S. National Under-18 Team captain will return to his home state when he joins Boston University next season. The Terriers topped Team USA, 4-3, in overtime on Oct. 29 earlier this year. Strait will be joined by Greg Squires (White Plains, N.Y.) and goaltender Brett Bennett (Williamsville, N.Y.), who is yet to see action this season due to injury.

Meanwhile, assistant captain, Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) will join the back-to-back NCAA champion Denver Pioneers next season. Rakhshani has totaled 12 points (6-6) in 18 games played this season.

NOTES: The U.S. National Under-18 Team's leading scorer Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./ 6-4-10) was ineligible to sign a letter of intent, as he is only a junior in high school ... USA Hockey launched the NTDP in 1996 with the goal of preparing student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Since inception, the U.S. National Under-18 Team has won two International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championships (2005,2002), 107 alumni drafted in the NHL Entry Draft and over 180 alumni who have played NCAA Division I competition.

Name-Pos. Hometown Commitment

Chris Atkinson- F Sparta, N.J. University of Vermont
Brett Bennett- G Williamsville, N.Y. Boston University
Michael Carman- F Apple Valley, Minn. University of Minnesota
Ryan Flynn- F Lino Lakes, Minn. University of Minnesota
Blake Geoffrion- F Brentwood, Tenn. University of Wisconsin
Erik Johnson- D Bloomington, Minn. University of Minnesota
Jamie McBain- D Faribault, Minn. University of Minnesota
Kevin Montgomery- D Rochester, N.Y. Ohio State University
Joe Palmer- G Yorkville, N.Y. Ohio State University
Rhett Rakhshani- F Huntington Beach, Calif. University of Denver
Mike Ratchuk- D Buffalo, N.Y. Michigan State University
Greg Squires- F White Plains, N.Y. Boston University
Brian Strait- D Waltham, Mass. Boston University
Chris Summers- D Milan, Mich. University of Michigan
Bill Sweatt- F Elburn, Ill. Colorado College
Nigel Williams- D Montgomery, Ill. University of Wisconsin

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2005


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