Monday, August 10, 2009

USA Cuts Roster to 29

Press Release

For the complete current roster, click here

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Twenty-nine of the original 42 invitees to the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp will remain to face Russia in a series of international games this week at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. The players are auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009, in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.

"We kept five defensive pairs and five forward lines, and all of them will have a chance to show what they can do against Russia," said Dean Blais (International Falls, Minn.), head coach of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team. "Even after this camp ends, we will continue to evaluate all of these players, including those who are heading home now."

Among those remaining are three returning forwards from the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team, including Tyler Johnson (Spokane, Wash.), Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.), and Jordan Schroeder (Prior Lake, Minn./University of Minnesota).

Also highlighting the list of remaining invitees are six players from the gold medal-winning 2009 U.S. National Under-18 Team, including forwards Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.), Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.), Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.), Kenny Ryan (Franklin Village, Mich.); defenseman Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.); and goalie Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.).

For the complete current roster, click here.

NOTES: All practice sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Tickets to the games against Russia (Aug. 11-14) are available through the Olympic Regional Development Authority (orda.org) … Visit usahockey.com for complete camp coverage … The 2009 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp began with three intrasquad scrimmages Aug. 7-9, involving all 42 original camp invitees ... Schroeder is the only camp invitee attempting to make his third U.S. National Junior Team, having competed for Team USA in 2008 and 2009.

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

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