Wednesday, December 18, 2013

NCAA-Heavy Roster Heads to WJC

As many as 15 schools could have representatives playing at the 2014 tournament.


NCAA-Heavy Roster Heads to WJC
Providence goaltender Jon Gillies returns for Team USA.

Twenty-one players with NCAA ties are among the group of 26 headed to Sweden to represent the United States at the 2014 World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Wednesday.

Head coach Don Lucia and general manager Jim Johansson trimmed their roster by three following Tuesday’s overtime win in an exhibition game against Minnesota State. The remaining players represent 13 schools, led by Boston College and Boston University with three representatives apiece. BU’s group includes the only future college player on the roster, Terrier commit Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass./U.S. NTDP).

The importance of college players to Team USA’s hopes of repeating its 2013 gold medal performance is no surprise.

‘Bread and butter’

“The collegiate players are our bread and butter to where we end up on this roster,” said Johansson, himself a former Wisconsin star, in an NHL.com article. “I think the partnership we have with supporting U.S. junior hockey and USA Hockey as a whole has been vital to the unlimited growth of the American player both in college and the international scene. So it’s by nature of structure that college hockey needs USA Hockey to be strong and, by nature of player development, we need college hockey to be strong.”

A 23-man roster will be announced Dec. 23, with competition in the IIHF World Junior Championship set for Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2014, in Malmo, Sweden.

In addition to the U.S. representatives, three players with college ties have been included on preliminary rosters for Germany (two) and Sweden (one). Recruits Frederik Tiffels (Western Michigan) and Janik Moser (Ohio State) are on the German roster while the host country’s list includes Colorado College freshman Gustav Olofsson.

Including those European players, as many as 15 schools could have players participating in the 2014 World Junior Championship.

U.S. National Junior Roster (as of Dec. 18)

Player Pos. NCAA Team
Riley Barber F Miami
Will Butcher D Denver
Connor Carrick D
Andrew Copp F Michigan
Thatcher Demko G Boston College
Tommy DiPauli F Notre Dame
Jack Eichel F Boston University*
Adam Erne F
Hudson Fasching F Minnesota
Jon Gillies G Providence
Matt Grzelcyk D Boston University
Ryan Hartman F
Vince Hinostroza F Notre Dame
Nic Kerdiles F Wisconsin
Stefan Matteau F
Ian McCoshen D Boston College
Tyler Motte F Michigan
Dan O’Regan F Boston University
Brett Pesce D New Hampshire
Henrik Samuelsson F
Steve Santini D Boston College
Quentin Shore F Denver
Brady Skjei D Minnesota
Jaccob Slavin D Colorado College
Zach Stepan F Minnesota State
Anthony Stolarz G Nebraska Omaha#

* Committed to BU
# Former player