USHL U.S. National Team

Both NTDP Squads in Action During Four-Game Weekend in Ann Arbor

Published on November 18, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


THIS WEEK: Both NTDP squads will welcome the Tri-City Storm and Fargo Force to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube for a four-game weekend... The U.S. National Under-17 Team kicks off the four-game set Friday against the Storm at 7:05 p.m. EST. The U17s will then meet Fargo at 3:05 p.m. EST in the first half of an NTDP doubleheader on Saturday. The U.S. National Under-18 Team takes the night cap against Tri-City at 7:05. The U18s then close out the weekend with a 3:05 p.m. EST tilt against the Force Sunday.

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 12-6-0-2 (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 198-119-7-17 (W-L-T-OTL).

U.S. NAT'L U18 TEAM NOTES: The U.S. National Under-18 Team is currently riding a five-game winning streak... Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn.) notched two goals last weekend to extend his team lead to nine, which includes a team-best seven power-play tallies. Faulk is tied for second on the team and leads all defensemen with 14 points... Goaltender Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.) earned his first shutout of the season and seventh of his NTDP career Sunday. Campbell's seven shutouts leave him just one behind Jeff Frazee (2003-05) for the NTDP's all-time career record. Additionally, Campbell lowered his goals-against average to 1.98 and raised his save percentage to.927... Brandon Saad (Gibsonia, Pa.) remains atop the NTDP's scoring leader board with 17 points, including a team-high 11 assists... Matthew Nieto (Long Beach, Calif.), the NTDP's leading point-getter last season, is heating up with eight points (4-4) in his last six games. He recorded three points (1-2) over the weekend.

U.S. NAT'L U17 TEAM NOTES: The U.S. National Under-17 Team had last weekend off after it won each of its three contests at the 2009 Under-17 Four Nations Cup in Trnava, Slovakia... Rocco Grimaldi's (Rossmoor, Calif.) four-point performance at the Under-17 Four Nations Cup propelled him to the top spot on Team USA's scoring list. Grimaldi now has 10 points, including a team-high six assists. Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, Conn.) is second on the club with nine points, while pacing the team with six goals... Matt Van Voorhis (Edina, Minn.) notched three points in Slovakia, extending his point lead among defensemen to eight points (3-5)... Zac Larraza (Scottsdale,Ariz.) leads Team USA with three ï - =BFpower-play tallies this season. All of Larraza's goals to date have come on the man advantage... Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) has stopped 428 shots in 747 minutes of action this year.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Vancouver Canuck Ryan Kesler (2000-02/5-14--19) and Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane (2004-06/7-12--19) are tied for second among American-born players with 19 points each... Matt Carle (2000-02), of the Philadelphia Flyers, is leading the entire NHL with a plus-17 rating... Carle's first-year teammate, James van Riemsdyk (2005-07) is second among rookies with 16 points (5-11). He is also tied for second in the NHL with three game-winning markers... Robbie Earl (2001-03), of the Minnesota Wild, notched his first two NHL goals against the Carolina Hurricanes Sunday... Kevin Porter (2002-04) was called up by the Phoenix Coyotes Monday from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League... Jimmy Howard (2001-02) has posted a 2.84 goals-against average, while seeing more time in net for the Detroit Red Wings... Colorado College forward Billy Sweatt (2003-05) is averaging 1.50 points per game with 15 (6-9), while helping the Tigers to the top spot in the WCHA... University of Wisconsin netminder Brett Bennett (2004-06) has posted a 1.84 goals-against average and.911 save percentage. Bennett's teammate, Blake Geoffrion (2004-06) leads the Badgers with six goals this year.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2009


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