Brickley, Grimaldi Added to U.S. National Under-18 Team for 2010 Six Nations

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Forwards Connor Brickley (Everett, Mass.), of the Des Moines Buccaneers, and Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.), of the U.S. National Under-17 Team, have been added to the U.S. National Under-18 Team roster for the 2010 Six Nations Tournament, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program announced today.

Brickley, who is in his rookie season in the United States Hockey League, is fourth on the Buccaneers with 33 points (16-17) in 36 games. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound forward has tallied five power-play goals and two game-winners for Des Moines.

Grimaldi currently leads the U.S. National Under-17 Team in each of the major offensive categories including goals (14), assists (25) and points (39) in 35 games this year. He also appeared in one regular-season game for the U.S. National Under-18 Team. Additionally, Grimaldi was named to the all-tournament team at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he helped lead the U.S. National Under-17 Team to the gold medal.

The 2010 Six Nations runs from Feb. 9-14 in Minsk, Belarus. Team USA will take on top under-18 squads from Belarus, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Russia. The U.S. opens up the tournament Tuesday against Finland at 3:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. EST).

NOTES:Connor Brickley will wear No. 20 for the U.S., while Rocco Grimaldi will wear No. 21… The U.S. National Under-18 Team has won the Six Nations, which was previously held as a Five Nations Tournament, in each of the last three years.

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