NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Team Development Program Weekly

Published on February 14, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


THIS WEEK: Team USA will compete in the North American Hockey League's first annual Top Prospects Tournament, set for February 17-19 at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich.

ABOUT THE NAHL TOP PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT: The event will feature all-star teams from the NAHL's Central, North and South Divisions, as well as a team from the U.S. National Team Development Program, competing in a three-game, round-robin tournament.

In the two, six-team divisions - the Central and South - five players were selected from the first-place teams as of January 1 (North Iowa/Wichita Falls); four from the second-place teams (Southern Minnesota/Fairbanks); three from the third- and fourth-place teams (Springfield/Fargo-Moorhead/Topeka/Alaska); and two from the fifth- and sixth-place teams (Alexandria/Bismarck/Kenai River/Texas). One wildcard player was also selected from each of the two divisions (North Iowa/Wichita Falls).

In the five-team North Division (excluding the NTDP), five players were chosen from the first-place team as of January 1 (St. Louis); four from the second-place team (Mahoning Valley); and three from the third-, fourth- and fifth-place teams (Alpena/Marquette/Traverse City). Two wildcard players were also selected from the division (St. Louis/Mahoning Valley).

The National Team Development Program team will be comprised of players from both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams. In Sunday's game, players from both squads will suit up for the NTDP, while Monday and Tuesday's games will showcase players from the U.S. National Under-18 Team.

Coaches for the Top Prospects teams have been selected based on the highest winning percentage in the standings as of January 1.The first-place team's coach in each division will serve as head coach, while the second-place team's coach will serve as the assistant coach.

FOLLOWING THE NAHL TOP PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT: Log on to www.nahl.com/b2.cfm to access B2 Networks, which will provide live video broadcasts for each of the six games at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-18 TEAM HEAD COACH JOHN HYNES: John Hynes is in his fifth season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He has amassed a career record of 146-102-9-12 (W-L-T-OTL).

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-18 TEAM NOTES: Team USA recorded an unblemished record in four games to win the 2008 Five Nations Tournament (Feb. 6-10) in Varkaus, Finland. The U.S. National Under-18 Team has won the tournament three other times - 1999, 2005 and 2007 ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team is 6-2 in international games this year ... Team USA is 5-1 in its last six contests ... Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.), who notched his first hat trick with the U.S. National Under-18 Team against Finland (Feb. 10), finished second among Team USA players with six points (four goals, two assists) at the Five Nations Tournament ... Jordan Schroeder (Prior Lake, Minn.) notched a team-high seven points (three goals, four assists) at the Five Nations Tournament ... Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.) finished in a tie for fourth on the team with four points (two goals, two assists) at the Five Nations Tournament ... Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) shared the fourth spot with Kristo on Team USA's point chart with four goals during the tournament ... William Wrenn (Anchorage, Alaska), who chipped in two assists, was recognized as the best defenseman of the tournament ... Goaltenders Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) and Brandon Maxwell (Winter Park, Fla.) each recorded two wins at the Five Nations Tournament.

UP NEXT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team travels to Moon Township, Pa., next Saturday (Feb. 23) where it will take on Robert Morris University at the Island Sports Center. Opening faceoff is slated for 7:35 p.m. EST.

HOCKEY WEEKEND ACROSS AMERICA: Hockey Weekend Across America, a new initiative led by USA Hockey to celebrate the game at all levels and expose hockey to new audiences, is set for Feb. 15-17.

Each of the three days of the weekend has a theme including Friday's (Feb. 15) Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey to School Day; Saturday's (Feb. 16) Bring a Friend to the Rink Day; and Sunday's (Feb. 17) Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day.

Fans are encouraged to visit the event website at HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com to learn more about the weekend and also enter for a chance to win great prizes in Hockey Weekend Across America's Great Prize Giveaway. One grand prize winner each day will receive a Reebok Hockey Head-to-Toe prize package valued at $3,000.

NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING'S MID-TERM RANKINGS: A total of 13 players with ties to the NTDP were recognized as potential draft picks for the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, according to NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings (Jan. 9). NHL Central Scouting will announce its final rankings in April. The 2008 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 21-22 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.

ABOUT THE NTDP: Founded in 1996, USA Hockey's National Team Development Program was created to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice. Located in Ann Arbor, Mich., the 46 players in the program are split into two squads - the U.S. National Under-18 and Under-17 Teams.

- In the nine years NTDP players have been eligible for the draft, 141 players have been selected, including the number one overall selection in 2000 (Rick DiPietro), 2006 (Erik Johnson) and 2007 (Patrick Kane).

- A total of 16 players with connections to the NTDP were selected in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, including five players in the first round.

- Patrick Kane and James vanRiemsdyk became the first two American-born players selected first and second in the 2007 NHL Draft.

- Kane's selection, added with the St. Louis Blues' choice of Erik Johnson in the 2006 NHL Draft, represented the first time American-born players have been chosen first overall in consecutive years.

- A total of 22 players from the 2007-08 U.S. National Under-18 Team have verbally committed to play NCAA Division I college hockey.

- In the 11-year history of the National Team Development Program, players from 27 states have donned the Team USA uniform. This season 15 different states are represented between the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams.

NATIONAL TEAM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TRYOUTS: USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Tryout Camp will be held on March 22-25 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich. A total of 46 players from the 1992 age group will be in attendance at the camp.

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM HEAD COACH RON ROLSTON: Ron Rolston is in his fourth season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He has compiled a career record of 146-79-11-7 (W-L-T-OTL).

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM NOTES: Team USA took second at the 2008 Under-18 Vlad Dzurilla Tournament (Feb. 7-9) in Piestany, Slovakia. The U.S. National Under-17 Team has finished among the top two teams in its last three Vlad Dzurilla Tournament appearances. It won the tournament in 2006 and 2007, and took second this year ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team finished 9-5 during international competition in 2007-08 ... Team USA is a season-best 7-3 in its last 10 games ... A.J. Treais (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) led Team USA with four points (two goals, two assists) at the Vlad Dzurilla Tournament ... Dakota Eveland (Anaheim, Calif.), Mark Goggin (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Tyler Pitlick (Centerville, Minn.), John Ramage (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Derek Stepan (Hastings, Minn.) each suited up for Team USA at the Vlad Dzurilla Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia. Eveland (two assists), Goggin (one goal, one assist) and Stepan (one goal) each tallied at least one point during their three-game stint with the U.S. National Under-17 Team. Goggin chipped in the game-winning goal vs. Germany (Feb. 7), while Stepan netted the game-winner against Switzerland (Feb. 8).

UP NEXT: The U.S. National Under-17 Team hosts the Marquette Rangers next Friday (Feb. 22) and Saturday (Feb. 23) at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Friday's game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EST, while Saturday's contest will begin at 7 p.m. EST.

NTDP WELL REPRESENTED IN THE NHL: Over 40 former players from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program have played in the National Hockey League this season.

NHL NOTES: Phoenix Coyote center Peter Mueller (2003-05), who led all rookies in scoring with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 14 games as the Coyotes surged to a 9-4-1 record in January, was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for his efforts ... Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane (2004-06) gained NHL Rookie of the Month accolades for October. Kane leads all rookies with 47 points (13-34), and is tied for first in the NHL with five shootout goals ... Robbie Earl (2001-03) dished out an assist in his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 2 ... Patrick Eaves (2000-02) has been traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Carolina Hurricanes.

NCAA DIVISION I TEAMS TAP NTDP PLAYERS: The number of former NTDP players suiting up for NCAA Division I ice hockey programs has grown to 67 in the 2007-08 season. Boston University (7) has the highest number of former NTDP players on its roster. The full list of Division I players with ties to the NTDP can be found on page four.

NCAA NOTES: The University of Michigan's Kevin Porter (2002-04) leads all of NCAA Division I with 45 points (25-20) ... Teammate Chad Kolarik (2002-04) was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week after he tallied one goal and three assists in helping the Wolverines take three of four points from Miami University (Feb. 8-9) ... Boston College's Nathan Gerbe (2003-05) ranks second nationally with 43 points (22-21).

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2008


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