Game Against Team USA Looms for FM Jets
Published on November 27, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Major acts have been to the Fargo-Moorhead region before, whether they are internationally-renown entertainers all the way to presidents. On Saturday, area residents will be able to add another to the list of major acts that have played in the region, as arguably the biggest event in local hockey history is now less than a week away.
On December 2, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets Junior A hockey team will face-off against the United States U-18 Team (Team USA) in an exhibition game. Face-off is scheduled for 8pm at the Carlson Coliseum. The FM Jets' (17-6-1, 35 pts) will enter the game with a firm grasp on first place in the North American Hockey League's Central Division and obviously sporting one of the nation's top Junior A hockey line-ups, momentum and a full plate of underdog moxie.
However, Team USA is sold as the country's best and brightest hockey players born in 1989, and despite an average of being two-three years younger than most of their competition they play like the best. Following back-to-back wins last week in Maine over NCAA Division III strongholds Colby and Bowdoin, Team USA is 15-6-3.
"They are very good with skill and discipline. They should be the toughest team we've played so far" said FM Jets' head coach Chad Johnson. "We watched them in September (at the NAHL Showcase) and they were as good as advertised."
Team USA is 8-0-0 against Junior A competition, winning by an average of almost four goals per game. This includes an 11-1 pasting of the three-time defending NAHL Champion Texas Tornado. Against NCAA competition, Team USA has gone a very successful 6-4-2, including a 3-4-0 record against Division I teams. At first glance, this may not look impressive but keep in mind that this is a team of 17 year olds going up against collegiate players typically between the ages 20-22.
"Its easy to lose sight of their age when watching them play...they play with the maturity of players older then they are" added Johnson. "By this point in the season, the age factor is negligible and since many were with the U-17 team last year, the demands of their schedule aren't affecting them either."
Team USA's highlight games, include wins over CCHA members Alaska-Fairbanks and Michigan State. Team USA has also defeated ECAC contender Clarkson and perennial NCAA Division III champion Plattsburgh (NY) State. Even Team USA's losses have been impressive, with overtime defeats at Michigan and Boston College.
Team USA is scheduled to play at the University of North Dakota on Friday, before facing the FM Jets on Saturday. The FM Jets' team will be going to UND on Friday to practice at the Ralph Engelstad Arena and watch the game.
Team USA also went 1-2-1 at the Four Nations' Tournament in Sweden in early November.
Though this game will have no impact on the FM Jets' NAHL record, the lack of meaning in the win-loss column is more than fully compensated by a list of dozens of collegiate and professional scouts scheduled to be at the game. The FM Jets already have one player committed to a college in goaltender Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) who is slated to go to Minnesota State-Mankato. However, the remainder of the team is all fair game and will have a chance to catch an eye.
"You are starting to see many of our players starting to get some interest and this will be a chance for them to be seen by more scouts and continue to raise their stock" said Johnson. "No one's career will be made or broken on Saturday, but a strong performance will do nothing but great things."
Is Team USA in the NAHL?
The answer to this question is yes and no. The United States National Development Program has two teams, one being the U-18 team the FM Jets' will face and the other is the U-17 team. The USNDTP is represented in the NAHL's North Division and plays a full 62 game schedule with the U-17 team playing the majority of those. The U-18 team does play roughly 10 NAHL games to help fill out the schedule when the U-17 is at a tournament.
Who Are Team USA's Top Performers?
Team USA features two players who have already caught NHL Scouts interests in skilled winger James Van Riemsdyk and forward Mike Hoeffel. Van Riemsdyk is ranked at the eighth best prospect by NHL Central Scouting, while Hoeffel is ranked 20th. They are looking to add to the list of 120 NTDP alumni who have been drafted by the NHL.
Van Riemsdyk leads Team USA in goals (17) and points (28). He also has a team-high 3 game winning goals.
In goal, Brad Philips and Josh Unice have each split time in net. Phillips -who was named the top goaltender at the IIHF World U-17 Championships last spring, is 6-3-2 with a 2.73 GAA. Unice is 8-2-1 and has a 2.82 GAA.
It Can Be Done
In the past two season's, Team USA is 27-1-0 against Junior A teams with their only loss during that span occurring March 4 when the Springfield Jr. Blues won 2-1.
FM Jets' Team USA Connection
Former FM Jets forward Tom Dickhudt was with Team USA during the 2002-2003 season, before coming to the Red River Valley for the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons.
Fans Encouraged to Purchase Tickets Early
Saturday's game will most likely not be a sell-out; however fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early as already 700 tickets have been purchased. By comparison, a typical FM Jets' game has 150-200 pre-sales. Box office hours this week are 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. The box office will open at 8:30am on Saturday. The largest crowd in FM Jets' history was a crowd of 1,710 last April for a playoff game against Bismarck.
Last Week
Nov. 25 Alexandria Blizzard 5-2 W
This Week
Dec. 2 United States U-18 National Team 8:00pm
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fourth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 31st year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on Today's Hot New Country 103.9 THE TRUCK and audiosportsonline.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2006
- Wildcats Sweep Springfield - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Game Against Team USA Looms for FM Jets - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
