Three Camps Open

As I mentioned earlier this week, the USA Under 20 Evaluation Camp gets underway today. Chris Peters should have a blog on the event. This the only camp for the Under-20 Team. Unlike the Canadians, they don't have a December camp. One of the reasons is because most of the players have final exams before the Christmas Break.

Out in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Select 15's get underway tomorrow. This is one of the first steps in the National Team Development Program selection process. Some players to watch out for is Colin Jacobs (considered one of the best players in North America in the 15 year old age bracket), Connor Anthoine (The first 93 player to make a college commitment. He's slated to head to Vermont for the 2011 season.), Shane McColgan (LA Selects), Trey Keenan (Texas Attack), Rocco Grimaldi (Detroit Little Caesars), Seth Ambroz (New Prague HS, Minnesota), Travis Boyd (Hopkins HS, Minnesota), Trevor Morbeck (Milwaukee), Julian Ciocco (Cushing Academy), Alex Gacek (Governor Academy), and Joe Yeadon (Burlington, VT).

In Calgary, the Canadian Under 18 selection camp starts on Sunday. After the camp, they will name the Ivan Hlinka team. One thing you find interesting is Canada sends their best team for Ivan Hlinka Tournament. They can't send their best in the Under-18 tournament in April because of the CHL Playoffs. The USA doesn't send the National Team Development Program for the Ivan Hlinka tournament but sends them in the April Tournament. It's a good and a bad thing. By sending a seperate team for the Ivan Hlinka, more players get seen by scouts. On the other hand you aren't sending the elite of the elite.

USA Hockey hasn't released the Under 17 roster yet. They will probably release it this afternoon. I will have another blog when the roster is released after I get out of work. Expect a blog around 8:30 or 9:00 tonight.

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)