Wednesday, December 3, 2008

USA's Roster

Press Release

30 Thomas McCollum Sanborn, N.Y. Guelph Storm (OHL)/Detroit Red Wings

1 Josh Unice Holland, Ohio Kitchener Rangers (OHL)/Chicago Blackhawks

DEFENSEMEN (7)
24 Jonathon Blum* Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Vancouver Giants (WHL)/Nashville

28 Ian Cole* Ann Arbor, Mich. Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)/St. Louis Blue

4 Cade Fairchild* Duluth, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/St. Louis Blues

20 Blake Kessel Madison, Wis. Univ. of New Hampshire (HEA)/ New York Islanders

17 Ryan McDonagh Arden Hills, Minn. Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA)/Montreal Canadiens

5 Teddy Ruth Naperville, Ill. Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)/Columbus Blue Jackets

8 Kevin Shattenkirk New Rochelle, N.Y. Boston University (HEA)/Colorado Avalanche

FORWARDS (13)
27 Drayson Bowman Littleton, Colo. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Carolina Hurricanes

12 Jimmy Hayes Dorchester, Mass. Boston College (HEA)/Toronto Maple Leafs

11 Mike Hoeffel North Oaks, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/New Jersey Devils

10 Tyler Johnson Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Free Agent

18 Danny Kristo Eden Prairie, Minn. Omaha Lancers (USHL)/Montreal Canadiens

15 Jim O’Brien Maplewood, Minn. Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)/Ottawa Senators

7 Aaron Palushaj Northville, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (CCHA)/St. Louis Blues

9 Matt Rust* Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (CCHA)/Florida Panthers

19 Jordan Schroeder* Prior Lake, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/2009 Draft Eligible

25 Eric Tangradi Philadelphia, Pa. Belleville Bulls (OHL)/Anaheim Ducks

21 James van Riemsdyk*+ Middletown, N.J. Univ. of New Hampshire (HEA)/Philadelphia

14 Mitch Wahl Seal Beach, Calif. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Calgary Flames

33 Colin Wilson* Greenwich, Conn. Boston University (HEA)/Nashville Predators

The biggest surprise has to be the omission of John Carlson. Everything I have read he's been the defenseman in the OHL this season. What I have been told is that he's been playing 30 minutes a night. I am glad to see Mitch Wahl and Drayson Bowman on the team. It seems they wanted to have as much team chimistry as possible. You look at all the connections on the team. How about Danny Kristo coming from the USHL. I know he's a 90 but I think he's the first active USHL player to make the roster for a while.

Here's my predicted lines

Thomas McCollum
Josh Unice

Jonathan Blum-Cade Fairchild
Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Shattenkirk
Ian Cole-Teddy Ruth
Blake Kessel

James van Riemsdyk-Jordan Schroeder-Colin Wilson
Jim O’Brien-Eric Tangradi-Aaron Palushaj
Mitch Wahl-Drayson Bowman-Tyler Johnson
Danny Kristo-Matt Rust-Jimmy Hayes
Mike Hoeffel

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)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Looks like USA Hockey is trying to set a point to the OHL & London Knights No John Carlson no Phil McRae .John Carlson probably one of the top defencemen in the OHL 30 plus minutes a game and Phil McRae 28 points in 20 games not bad especially when he missed 3 weeks due to mono.Looks like USA loss and London gain as these players should be healthy for the stretch finish for the Knights.