Gacek, Kuraly, Schmaltz Join U.S. National Under-17 Team for 2010 Vlad Dzurilla Tournament

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Forwards Alex Gacek (Dracut, Mass.) and Sean Kuraly (Dublin, Ohio), and defenseman Jordan Schmaltz (Madison, Wis.) will join the U.S. National Under-17 Team at the 2010 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament, it was announced today by USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

Gacek currently skates for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. In 35 games, Gacek has posted 31 goals, which is second in the EJHL, and 56 points, good for third overall in the league.

Kuraly is a member of the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets Midget Major team. In 36 Midwest Elite League games, Kuraly has paced Ohio with 30 assists and 49 points.

Schmaltz, who plays for the Chicago Mission Midget Major team, will join Team USA for the second time this year. The defenseman helped the U.S. National Under-17 Team capture first place at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in January. Schmaltz participated in each of Team USA’s seven games and notched one goal. In 39 games with the Mission, Schmaltz has led the team’s defensemen with 31 points (10-21).

The 2010 Vlad Dzurilla Tournament takes place Feb. 11-13 in Piestany, Slovakia. Team USA will take on under-18 squads from Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland. The U.S. National Under-17 Team will meet host Slovakia in a pre-tournament match-up Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. (9:15 a.m. EST).

NOTES:Alex Gacek will wear No. 61, Jordan Schmaltz will wear No. 62, and Sean Kuraly will don No. 87 … Michael Vilardo (Geneva, Ill.), who has split time with both NTDP squads this season, is on the U.S. National Under-17 Team roster for this event … The U.S. National Under-17 Team is the defending Vlad Dzurilla champion.

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