June 23, 2025 - 20 Games Today

U.S. National Under-17 Team Adds Two Players, Coach For 2005 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament

November 2, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -The U.S. National Under-17 Team will add defenseman Doug Leaverton (Mayfield, Ohio) of the North American Hockey League's Mahoning Valley and forward Jimmy Hayes (Charlestown, Mass.) from the Noble and Greenough School to its roster for the 2005 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament (Nov. 7-13) in Piestany, Slovakia.

Leaverton and Hayes will replace injured U.S. National Under-17 Team members Justin Vaive (Buffalo, N.Y.) and David Kolomatis (Basking Ridge, N.J.).

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Leaverton has scored one goal in 11 games for Mahoning Valley.

"We are excited to have Doug join us for the tournament," said Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "Doug is developing well with the Phantoms and his steady and smart defensive play will be an asset to our team."

On Thursday (Nov. 3), Leaverton will face-off against his soon-to-be teammates, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team hosts the Phantoms at 7 p.m. Leaverton will join Team USA following the Phantoms' weekend series (Nov. 4-5) in Alpena, Mich.

"The National Team Development Program would like to thank Coach Mainhardt and the Phantoms for giving Doug the opportunity to participate with the national team," said Scott Monaghan, NTDP director of operations. "The NAHL has a history of producing great American players and Doug is another young talent on the horizon."

Hayes, a 6-foot-3, 190 pound Massachusetts native, is set to play for the Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass. this winter. Hayes will join the U.S. National Under-17 Team in Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend.

"Jimmy has the complete package," said Ryan Rezmierski, NTDP director of player personnel. "He is not afraid to go into the tough areas of the rink to make plays and we look forward to having his skill set in the Team USA uniform."

Meanwhile, Chad Cassidy (Lake Placid, N.Y.) will join the U.S. National Under-17 Team as an assistant coach for the Four Nations Tournament. Cassidy is currently the head coach at the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid.

Tom Brandan (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) will serve as the team leader for Team USA during the tournament. Brandan is USA Hockey's registrar for the New York District.

NOTES: The U.S. National Under-17 Team will face Russia, Switzerland and tournament host Slovakia during the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament ... Founded in 1997, 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. The program has been instrumental in capturing gold medals at the 2002 and 2005 IIHF World Under-18 Championships and the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship. This past summer 15 NTDP alumni were selected in the NHL Entry Draft. In the seven years NTDP players have been eligible for the NHL draft, 107 players have been selected.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

North American Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2005

NAHL names players of the week - NAHL
Phantoms travel to Michigan for three - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
U.S. National Under-17 Team Adds Two Players, Coach For 2005 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
U.S. National Under-18 team prepares for Four Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
Bulls set for first ever meeting with Southern Minnesota - Billings Bulls
Icediggers sponsor Alpena Hockey Association jersey night - Alpena IceDiggers

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.

Other Recent U.S. National Team Stories