USHL U.S. National Team

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Published on March 9, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


U18 TEAM TRAVELS TO DES MOINES: The U.S. National Under-18 Team travels to Urbandale (Iowa) on Friday (March 11) to take on the Des Moines Buccaneers at 8 p.m. EST at Buccaneers Arena.

U17 TEAM FACES MUSKEGON IN TWO-GAME SERIES: The U.S. National Under-17 Team faces Muskegon on Friday (March 11) and Saturday (March 12) with four USHL points on the line. Team USA currently sits in fourth in the Eastern Conference with 50 points, while Muskegon is fifth with 48 points. Both games will be held at L.C. Walker Arena with puck drop set for 7:15 p.m. EST.

NTDP TAKES TWO AGAINST WATERLOO BLACK HAWKS: Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) netted one goal and assisted on another and Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) recorded two assists, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated the Waterloo Black Hawks, 4-1, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on March 2.

Two days later (March 4), Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Mich.) scored twice and John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) made 32 saves as the U.S. National Under-18 Team dropped Waterloo 4-2, earning Team USA the two-game sweep.

U18's STUN DES MOINES IN OVERTIME: Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif) netted two goals, including the gamewinner on a penalty shot, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team stunned the Des Moines Buccaneers, 5-4, in overtime at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on March 5. Team USA rallied to come back from an early 3-0 deficit to earn the win and two points in the standings.

U17's FALL IN USHL ACTION: Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif) notched a goal and Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) stopped 25 shots as the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell to the Dubuque, 3-1, at the Mystique Center on Saturday (March 5).

The following afternoon (March 6), Kerdiles again posted the lone U.S. score as the U17's were edged by Fargo, 2-1, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) made 26 saves between the pipes for Team USA in the loss.

Brady Skjei (Lakeville, Minn.) netted one goal and Olson made 22 saves on Tuesday (March 8) as the U.S. National Under-17 Team dropped a 6-1 decision to the Indiana Ice at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Team USA was behind by only one score after the first period, but a three-goal second by the Ice put the game out of reach.

After playing six games this past week, Team USA moved into sole possession of fourth place in the USHL. The top six teams in each conference earn a trip to the postseason.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Florida forward David Booth (Washington, Mich./2001-02) recorded a goal and an assist as the Panthers defeated Chicago 3-2 on Tuesday (March 8) to end the Blackhawks' eight-game winning streak ... Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill./2001-02) made 24 saves as the New York Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-3, in overtime on Tuesday (March 8). Since stepping in for the injured Rick DiPietro (Winthrop, Mass./1997-99), Montoya has gone 6-2-2 for the Islanders, posting a 2.02 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in that span ... Two NTDP alumni were named to the 2011 Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team. Western Michigan University forward Chase Balisy (Fullerton, Calif./2008-10) and University of Michigan defenseman Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./2008-10) were voted in by the conference's head coaches ... University of Denver forward Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev./2008-10) was the unanimous choice as the Hockey Commissioners Association National Rookie of the Month for February.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2011


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