USA Roster for the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka

USA Hockey has announced the roster for the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka an Under 18 tournament that's held in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia. It takes place from August 12th to August 16th.

This team was selected from the Select 17's that were held last week in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This isn't the National Team Development Program team that will play this winter. The Western College Hockey Blog did a nice write up on some of the players.

In goal John Cullen had a 21-4-2 record with a 2.09GAA and a .927SV% with the Maksymum (N.Y.) Hockey Club (Jr. B). Casey DeSmith of Berwick Academy is the other goalie.

On defense, its a veteran group with Beau Schmitz leading the way. He played with the NTDP Under 17 Team last year where he had six goals and nine assists in 59 games. This coming season he will be with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.

Collin Bowman played in the physical WHL with the Kelowna Rockets. He had two goal and seven assists in 67 games.

Paul Phillips played with the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders of the USHL. He had a goal and two assists in 43 contests. That's very good for a 16 year old in the USHL. He's committed to the Denver Pioneers for 2009-2010 season.

Nick Leddy played for Eden Prairie HS in Minnesota where he had 5 goals and 22 assists in 27 games. The Minnesota Golden Gophers is where he will play college hockey.

Eamonn McDermott played with the Cleveland Barons Major Midgets of the MWEHL last season. He had 1 goal and 11 assists in 26 contests. He will be back with the Barons next year.

Brendan Rempel played with one of the best Prep teams in New England in Avon Old Farms.

The only player I am familiar with is Brian Dumoulin. He played with the Biddeford High School Tigers. He led them to two straight Maine Class A State Titles last two seasons. Last year he had 13 goals and 48 assists in 24 league games in an undefeated season. He will be with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League this season.

On offense two players from Minnesota will lead the way. Zach Budish and Ryan Walters. Budish had 26 goals and 37 assists in 31 games for Edina High School. Walters played for St. Thomas Academy. He had 36 goals and 39 helpers in 31 matches. Both will be heading to Minnesota in 2009.

Another guy to watch for is Steven Whitney whlo played for Lawrence Academy. He played for the Under 17 Team at the World Under 17 Challenge in London, Ontario. He had two goals and two assists in six games. He also played in three other games with the U-17 team and recorded one assist. Boston College is his destination in 2009.

Caleb Herbert played for Bloomington Jefferson in Minnesota and had seven points including 4 goals.

Nick Oliver played for the Roseau Rams last year. His stats were 17 goals and 25 assists in 3o contests. He played in front of the home crowd at the Select 17's as he's heading to St. Cloud State.

Tyler Pitlick lit the lamp 25 times and tallied 34 helpers in 28 contests. He will be heading to Minnesota State.

Tyler Brown played for the Plymouth Whalers and had 10 points and which includes six assists in 64 matches.

Christopher McCarthy played for the Berkshire School in Massauchetts.

Shane Berschbach played for the Detroit Little Caesars Major Midget team of the MWEHL. He was a point per game player with 11 tallies and 16 assists in 25 contests. He was drafted by the Indiana Ice of the USHL this summer.

Sean Little saw limited action with Fond du Lac HS in Wisconsin. He had 17 goals and 17 assists in ten contests. He could be with Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL this coming season.

Garrett Peterson had eight goals and twelve assists in 25 contests for Team Illnois of the MWEHL.

Alex Wideman played for the St. Louis Major Midgets last season and has committed to Miami (OH) University for 2010.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)