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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Primed to Start Four-Game Homestand

November 20, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-17 Team returns to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube this week, where it is set to play four games in a six-day stretch. Team USA opens its busy schedule Tuesday (Nov. 20) for a dual with Mahoning Valley at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Marquette Rangers take on Team USA Friday (Nov. 23) at 7:30 p.m., and again on Saturday (Nov. 24) at 7 p.m. ET. Alpena will be the final opponent of the weekend for the U.S. National Under-17 Team on Sunday (Nov. 25) at 3 p.m. ET.

U.S. HEAD COACH RON ROLSTON: Ron Rolston is in his fourth season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He has amassed a career record of 129-66-11-6 (W-L-T-OTL).

COACH ROLSTON ON THE WEEK: "Playing in front of our home crowd will be a good way to finish this stretch of six games in 10 days. The games this week will be a test of mental toughness, preparation and our ability to execute, more than anything else."

LAST TIME OUT AGAINST MAHONING VALLEY: The U.S. National Under-17 Team and the Phantoms have met three times this season. After Team USA won the first meeting between the two teams, 4-3, back on Oct. 12, Mahoning Valley has come out on top in the last two games. The Phantoms recorded a 4-3 win Oct. 13, and crafted a 10-2 victory on Oct. 30. All three contests between the two squads this year have taken place at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

ABOUT THE PHANTOMS: Mahoning Valley (14-6-2) is second in the North American Hockey League North Division standings with 30 points. The Phantoms split a two-game set at Traverse City Nov. 16-17.

Derek Graham paces the offensive charge for Mahoning Valley up front with 34 points (17-17), while Eric Ringel is the top scoring threat on the blue line with 15 points (3-12). Garrett Bartus (9-1-2, 2.49, .919) has seen the bulk of playing time in goal for the Phantoms.

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM NOTES: The U.S. National Under-17 Team split a two-game NAHL series at St. Louis last weekend. Team USA dropped a 5-3 decision to the Bandits last Friday (Nov. 16), but rebounded with a 7-3 triumph in the series finale Saturday (Nov. 17). Saturday's win was the first for an opposing team at the Summit Center in 2007-08.

MORIN CONTINUES OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) leads Team USA with 22 points (16-6) after tallying four points (2-2) last weekend in St. Louis. Morin has notched 15 points (11-4) in his last nine games. He owns a team-best seven multi-point performances, and is one of two Team USA players with three power-play goals to his credit. Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.) has also scored three markers with a man advantage this season.

SHARING THE WEALTH: The U.S. National Under-17 Team has received game-winning goals from eight different players this season. Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas) has contribued a team-best two game-winners.

VALEK ADDS BREAKOUT WEEKEND IN ST. LOUIS: David Valek (Orem, Utah) tallied four points (2-2) in last weekend's split at St. Louis. After handing out an assist Friday (Nov. 16), Valek recorded a season-high three points in a 7-3 win Saturday (Nov. 17). In addition to scoring Team USA's first shorthanded goal of the season, the forward notched an unassisted marker and an assist.

FOWLER LEADING DEFENSE IN POINTS: Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.) is on top of Team USA's points list for defensemen with five points (1-4) as a result of his three-point weekend in St. Louis. Fowler notched his first power-play goal of the year, along with an assist, last Friday. He added a helper in last Saturday's contest.

MATTSON VERBALS TO NORTH DAKOTA: Nick Mattson (Chanhassen Minn.) has verbally committed to play for the University of North Dakota (WCHA). A total of 16 players from the 2007-08 U.S. National Under-17 Team have verbally committed to play NCAA Division I college hockey.

STATES OF 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.

PLAYER BIOS: See pages 4-7 of attached PDF.

UP NEXT: The U.S. National Under-17 Team travels to the Upper Peninsula of Michign next Friday (Nov. 30) and Saturday (Dec. 1) for a two-game series against the Marquette Rangers at Lakeview Arena. Both contests are slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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.

NTDP TO HELP WITH COMMUNITY ANGEL TREE TOY DRIVE: The USA Hockey National Team Development Program is doing its part to support the Angel Tree toy drive hosted by The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County (TSA-WC) and TalkRadio 1600 WAAM. The toy drive takes has begun and it will run through December 14.

The NTDP will be collecting toys at its home games at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube arena during Thanksgiving week. The team will offer a two-for-one ticket price for those who bring in a toy to donate.

"We have made it a priority throughout the 11-year history of the NTDP to give back to the community.," said Scott Monaghan, director of operations of the National Team Development Program. "The Angel Tree toy drive is another way for this program to provide help where it is needed."

Requested donations include new and unwrapped books, board games, hats, gloves, toys and undergarments for children newborn through 12 years old. The Angel Tree toy drive goal is to obtain 1,600 toys for 1,600 girls and boys this holiday season.

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