13 named to U.S. World Junior Team

Thirteen former NAHL players from the U.S. National Team Development Program were named the U.S. National Junior Team that will participate at the 2009 World Junior Championship, which will be held in Ottawa from Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009.

Among those selected were forwards Jimmy Hayes (Boston College); Mike Hoeffel (University of Minnesota); Danny Kristo (Omaha Lancers); Jim O’Brien (Seattle Thunderbirds); Matt Rust (University of Michigan); Jordan Schroeder (Minnesota); James van Riemsdyk (University of New Hampshire); and Colin Wilson (Boston University).

Former NTDP defensemen Ian Cole (University of Notre Dame), Teddy Ruth (Notre Dame), Kevin Shattenkirk (Boston University) and Cade Fairchild (Minnesota) were also selected, along with goaltender Josh Unice (Kitchener Rangers).

Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team, will serve as head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team.

Wilson, who was selected seventh overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators, currently ranks second in NCAA Division I points per game (1.54) and leads Boston University with 20 points (seven goals) in 13 contests.

Schroeder and van Riemsdyk, who was selected second overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers and was a member of the 2007 U.S. National Junior Team that won a bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship in Leksand and Mora, Sweden, are tied for 11th nationally in points per game at 1.36.

Among the 13 forwards on the roster, Rust, Schroeder, van Riemsdyk and Wilson played for the 2008 U.S. National Junior Team that finished fourth at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic.

Cole and Fairchild were also on the 2008 U.S. National Junior Team.

The 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship will feature the best athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia and Sweden.

For more information on the event, visit usahockey.com.