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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Weekly

November 7, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-17 Team heads to Dmitrov, Russia, where it will compete in the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament Nov. 9-11. Team USA faces Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland at the event.

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 125-64-11-6 (W-L-T-OTL).

COACH ROLSTON ON THE FOUR NATIONS: "We are excited to play against our own age group at an international event. This will be a great opportunity to see how we stack up against the world. It should also be a chance for our team to grow together."

FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The U.S. National Under-17 Team owns a 13-2-1 record in its last four appearances at the Four Nations Tournament. Team USA won the event in 2003-05 and took second in 2006.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team went 2-2-0 at the 2006 Under-17 Phantom Fireworks Four Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. Team USA beat Slovakia (3-2) and Switzerland (6-4), but was twice defeated by Russia (4-2, 5-4). The second loss against Russia came in the championship game of the tournament.

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM NOTES: Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.) continues to lead the U.S. National Under-17 Team with 12 points (8-4). Palmieri chipped in his team-best fifth multi-point game last Thursday against Alpena (Nov. 1) ... Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) is the squad's top scorer with nine goals after netting two markers last Thursday ... Zach Golembiewski (St. Claire, Mich.) recorded his first multi-point game with two assists last Thursday ... Beau Schmitz (Howell, Mich.) notched his first goal last Thursday ... Sam Calabrese (Park Ridge, Ill.) recorded his first point with an assist last Thursday ... David Valek (Orem, Utah) handed out his first assist last Thursday.

FOLLOWING THE FOUR NATIONS RESULTS: In-game scoring will not be available for the U.S. National Under-17 Team's games at the Four Nations Tournament. Log on to www.usahockey.com to access the most up-to-date information about the Four Nations Tournament, including post-game releases an box scores.

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.

WALTERS TO JOIN TEAM FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: Ryan Walters (Rosemount, Minn.) will skate for the U.S. National Under-17 Team at the Four Nations Tournament this week. A sophomore forward at St. Thomas (Minn.) Academy, Walters is currently playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League. He has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota (WCHA).

PLAYER BIOS: See pages 4-6.

UP NEXT: The U.S. National Under-17 Team takes on St. Louis in North American Hockey League action Nov. 16-17 at the Summit Center. Both games are scheduled to start at 8:05 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.

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2007


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