Sunday, November 2, 2008

How About the US?

Someone mentioned how about the Americans facing Canada in the ADT Challenge. Obviously that would bring a lot attention to the event. My only question is who would USA Hockey pick to play? If fans want a true World Junior team, don't get your hopes up (Unless its a summer tournament like the Super Series.).

No way NCAA teams are going to release their players. The USHL wouldn't really want to release their players because they just sent their best to the World Junior A Challenge. I highly doubt USA Hockey would send the National Team Development Program. Does the CHL just want to field their best Americans? I think what draws people to this event is to see players that haven't seen before. I think Americans in the CHL is the only option. Here's what my roster would look like:

Goaltenders

Jeremy Smith (Plymouth Whalers)
Thomas McCollum (Guelph Storm)

Defenseman

John Carlson (London Knights)
Jonathan Blum (Vancouver Giants)
David Kolomatis (Owen Sound Attack)
Adam Comrie (Saginaw Spirit)
Collin Bowman (Kelowna Rockets)
Beau Schmitz (Plymouth Whalers)
Joe Rogalski (Sarnia Sting)

Forwards

A.J. Jenks (Plymouth Whalers)
Tyler Johnson (Spokane Chiefs)
Mitch Wahl (Spokane Chiefs)
Drayson Bowman (Spokane Chiefs)
Colin Long (Kelowna Rockets)
Jim O'Brien (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Shane Harper (Everett Silvertips)
Philip McRae (London Knights)
Nick Palmieri (Erie Otters)
Eric Tangradi (Belleville Bulls)
Tyler Murovich (Saginaw Spirit)
Austin Watson (Windsor Spitfires)
Jared Knight (London Knights)

A few weeks ago, I got word that Ryan Rezmierski, the Director of Player Personal of the National Team Development Program, visited Windsor to check on Austin Watson. Appartenly, Rezmierski was trying to see if Watson will be at the Select 17's next summer. The last few years USA Hockey has had trouble for some players to commit to the Select 17's. One of the reasons I have been told is because players are just to tired and want to relax.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought that since the USHL releases players for the Junior A Hockey Challenge, they could scatter the roster you shown with some of their own. Perhaps some from the NAHL too.
Didnt the Pittsburgh Forge (ex NAHL) beat the OHL Erie Otters a few years back?
The Omaha Lancers schooled the Q last year, so, there is some parity.

I just think the styles of play and competitive nature between the two nations would provide the best product.

Anonymous said...

You could add a few other U.S. players in the CHL

F-CJ Stretch (Kamloops Blazers)
F-Tyler Maxwell(Everett Silvertips)
F-Jack Combs (Saginaw Spirit)
D-Brad Walch (Saginaw Spirit)

Point is, there are plenty enough quality players to field a very competitive CHL USA team for this event!