NTDP Announces First Four Commitments for 2010-11 Season

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Forwards Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) and Nikolas Olsson (Escondido, Calif.), and defensemen Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) and Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.) have committed to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program starting in the 2010-11 season, it was announced today. The players, all born in 1994, will compete as members of the U.S. National Under-17 Team.

“These four players provide a great foundation to continue to build on for next season’s U.S. National Under-17 Team,” said Ryan Rezmierski, director of player personnel for the NTDP. “They all possess exemplary characteristics, both on and off the ice, that make a national team successful.”

Kerdiles and Olsson both come from the LA Selects Midget Minor team. Kerdiles led the squad with 54 points, including a team-best 29 assists, in 37 games in the Tier I Elite Hockey League. Olsson finished third on the team with 28 points (19-9), despite playing in just 21 games this season.

Jones played for the Dallas Stars Midget Major team during the 2009-10 campaign. He recorded 18 points (5-13) in 42 games in Tier I Elite Hockey League action.

Trouba skated for the Compuware Midget Minor (Mich.) team. He finished third on the team and first among blueliners with 28 points (14-14) in 38 games in the Tier I Elite Hockey League.

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