USHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Hockey Update

Published on October 13, 2003 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


The U.S. Under-18 Team is off to a 4-4-0-1 start and heads to Maine for the Black Bear Classic this Friday and Saturday. This year, the tournament will feature a traditional consolation/championship game and will be held on Oct. 17 and 18 at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Holy Cross, Sacred Heart and the U.S. National Under-18 Team will all participate in the tournament.

In a new format, the Black Bears (ranked 13th) will open by hosting the U.S. National Under-18 Team, the team that produced current Black Bear standouts Todd Jackson (Cortland, N.Y.), Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y.), and Greg Moore (Lisbon, Maine) at 7 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 17. In the opening game at 4 p.m., Holy Cross will face Sacred Heart.

The second day will feature consolation and championship games, with the US National Under-18 Team guaranteed to play in the 4 p.m., game regardless of Friday's outcome. The University of Maine will play at 7p.m., regardless of Friday's outcome. Whether the 4 p.m. or 7 p.m., game is the Championship Game will be based on the winner of Friday night's game.

"We've adjusted the format of the Black Bear Classic to make it a more traditional tournament format," said Maine Head Coach Tim Whitehead. "It will be a lot more fun for everyone involved including the players, the coaches and the fans."

BLACK BEAR CLASSIC

Friday, October 17, 2003

4:00 Sacred Heart vs. Holy Cross

7:00 University of Maine vs. U.S. National Under-18 Team

Saturday, October 18, 2003

4:00 US National Under-18 Team vs. (Sacred Heart or Holy Cross)

7:00 University of Maine vs. (Sacred Heart or Holy Cross)

U.S. National Under-17 Team

The Under-17 Team split a pair of games with the Boston Jr. Bruins this weekend and is now 5-5-0-1 on the season. The Under-17 Team heads to Minnesota this week for the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Minnesota Showcase. The first annual Twin Cities Fall Festival Showcase Tournament will feature all 21 teams from the three divisions to take place in Blaine (Minnesota) at the Schwan's Super Rink. The tournament will be held from Wednesday, October 15 through Saturday October 18. The 22nd team added for the tournament to round out the competition will consist of a select team from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MJHL). The Under-17 Team will play the MJHL team on October 16.

For the 2003-2004 campaign, the 28th season of North American Hockey League competition, the league formed a joint venture with the America West Hockey League (AWHL) to form a the current 21-team NAHL. The NAHL has grown from a Detroit-based league to one which today includes the: North Division – Cleveland Barons, Dayton Gems, Soo Kewadin Casino Indians, Springfield (IL) Jr. Blues, Toledo Ice Diggers, US National Under-17 Team and the Youngstown Phantoms. South Division – Central Texas Blackhawks, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Lone Star Cavalry, Springfield (MO) Spirit, Texarkana Bandits, Texas Tornado and the Wichita Falls Rustlers. West Division – Billings Bulls, Bismarck Bobcats, Bozeman IceDogs, Fargo-Moorehead Jets, Fernie Ghostriders, Helena Bighorns and the Minnesota Blizzard.

MINNESOTA SHOWCASE October 15, 16, 17, 18, 2003

TEAM USA MINESOTA SHOWCASE SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 16 9:30 am US Under-17 vs. Lone Star

OCTOBER 16 8:00 pm MJHL vs. US Under-17

OCTOBER 17 1:00 pm Helena vs. US Under-17

OCTOBER 18 12:00 pm US Under –17 vs. Bismarck

ALUMNI UPDATE NCAA

Dusty Collins (Gilbert, Ariz.) scored his first college goal for Northern Michigan University as NMU defeated Bowling Green twice this weekend.

Robbie Earl (Los Angeles, Calif.) knocked home Jeff Likens' (Barrington, Ill.) rebound for his first college goal as the University of Wisconsin spoiled Nebraska-Omaha's first game in its new building with a 4-3 overtime win. Wisconsin lost to the University of Maine in the Championship game of the Maverick Stampede.

The University of Maine victory over Wisconsin saw Todd Jackson (Cortland, N.Y.) lead the offense once again for Maine as he recorded his second two-goal game in as many nights. Jim Howard recorded his fourth career shut out the day before as The University of Maine blanked top ranked Minnesota 4-0. The shut out of the defending two-time NCAA Champions earned Howard Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors. Jackson and Greg Moore (Lisbon, Maine) joined Howard on the All-Tournament team. Moore scored the first goal of the game in Maine's win over Wisconsin on Saturday night.

University of Denver Pioneer Freshman J.D. Corbin (Littleton, Colo.) scored a goal in the third period against the Under-18 Team on Friday.

Brett Sterling (Pasadena, Calif.) scored a hat trick on Saturday night as Colorado College defeated the Under-18 Team.

T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) was named CCHA Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 5, after his two-point debut. Matt Hunwick (Roseville, Mich.) had an assist and Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.) made 33 saves in the University of Michigan's win over Miami (Ohio).

A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.) scored his first goal for Michigan State in a 5-4 win over Minnesota-Duluth.

NTDP Alumni news can be forwarded to ntdppr@ix.netcom.com

ALUMNI UPDATE NHL

Several NTDP Alumni started the 2003-04 season on NHL Rosters. FIRSTS included a first career shutout, a first game for a former coach, a first goal with a new team in Phoenix, a first NHL game in Colorado and a first NHL point in Montreal.

The Montreal Canadiens have four US players on their roster, two of whom are NTDP Alumni.

Defenseman Ron Hainsey (Bolton, Conn.) recorded his first career point Thursday night in Montreal's 5-2 loss to Ottawa. Hainsey played in 21 games for Montreal last season. Mike Komisarek (West Islip, NY) was a healthy scratch for Montreal on Thursday.

The New York Islanders have five US players on their roster including former 1st overall pick and NTDP Alumni Rick DiPietro (Winthrop, Mass.). DiPietro came in to relieve Garth Snow Thursday night and stopped all 11 shots he faced in the second half of New York's loss to the Capitals. Thursday night's game also marked the debut of the Islanders new assistant coach and former NTDP Head Coach Jeff Jackson.

DiPietro started the next game and in his 33rd career start recorded his first career shut out. DiPietro had to stop just 13 shots, including eight in the third period. "Most of the time I was watching," DiPietro admitted. "But (the Sabres) were dumping the puck in a lot, so that kept me in the game. Every time the puck came in our zone, our 'D' was shutting the door and the forwards were chipping the puck out."

The Calgary Flames open the season with three US players including former NTDP player Jordan Leopold (Golden Valley, Minn.) who added an assist on Calgary's lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Vancouver Thursday.

The Nashville Predators Adam Hall (Kalamazoo, MI) is a former NTDP player who added an assist on a goal by Mike Eaton (Wilmington, DE) Thursday night. David Legwand (Detroit, Mich.) added a goal and an assist with US players getting the job done in Nashville's 3-1 win over last year's Stanley Cup finalists the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The Colorado Avalanche have 5 US players on their roster including former NTDP player John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) who played in his first NHL game last week.

The Phoenix Coyotes have 4 US players including NTDP Alumni Dave Tanabe (White Bear Lake, Minn.). Tanabe wasted little time making an impact with the Phoenix Coyotes. Tanabe scored with 22 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting Coyotes to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the season opener for both teams. Acquired in an offseason trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tanabe gave Phoenix its first opening-night victory in three years and third win in as many meetings with St. Louis. After scoring 15 goals in 251 games with Carolina, he put a soft backhander through traffic past Blues goaltender Chris Osgood and was mobbed by his teammates.

"(It was) just out of desperation," Tanabe said of the shot. "I was moving across the blue line and trying to get the puck to the net. I threw it on my backhand. I don't know if I could ever do that again. It was one of those pucks that came off my stick right and happened to find its way to the net."

Coaches Clinics - Once again the NTDP is offering coaches the opportunity of working hands on with the players here in Ann Arbor. The five-day experience allows coaches to be involved in the structuring of practice planning, strategy of game preparation, breakdown of game film and the development of dry-land training in stick handling skills. Criteria are any USA Hockey affiliated coaches, male or female, approved by the District, a U.S. citizen registered with the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program. Coaches must be presently coaching and have coached at least five years in USA Hockey. Three references are required with the application and the coach must be in good standing and pass the screening process. Contact Moe Mantha at 734-327-9251, Ext. 12 for further details if interested.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 13, 2003


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