Friday, April 25, 2014
Recruits Set for U18 Semis
19 commits on Team USA’s roster as it preps to face Sweden on Saturday.
Nineteen college commits representing 12 schools are leading the United States into the semifinals of the World Under-18 Championship in Lappeenranta, Finland, where the Americans will face Sweden Saturday at 8 a.m. ET.
Saturday’s game – and Sunday’s participation in either the gold- or bronze-medal game – can be seen live and free on FASTHockey. Sunday’s games are slated for 8 a.m. (bronze) and 12 p.m. (gold) ET.
Boston University recruit and top 2015 NHL Draft prospect Jack Eichel has led the Americans with 8 points in 5 games (4 goals, 4 assists), putting him tied for fourth in the tournament in scoring. Eichel was named the team’s player of the game in the quarterfinal victory against Slovakia, when he registered a goal and two assists. Fellow BU commit Jonathan MacLeod scored twice on the power play in the game.
Two U.S. players – Boston College commit Sonny Milano and Michigan commit Kyle Connor – have at least a point in all five games of the tournament.
Boston College has three future stars on the roster, while Boston University, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Notre Dame each have a pair of representatives. Cornell, Miami, North Dakota, Northeastern, Wisconsin and Yale each have a recruit on the team as well. Michigan State alum and former Alabama-Huntsville head coach Danton Cole is the head coach of the team.
Team USA seeks its eighth gold medal in the event after winning it four of the last five years.
U.S. National Under-18 Team
G | Edwin Minney | Michigan State |
G | Alex Nedeljkovic | OHL |
D | Louie Belpedio | Miami |
D | Ryan Collins | Minnesota |
D | Jack Dougherty | Wisconsin |
D | Brandon Fortunato | Uncommitted |
D | Jack Glover | Minnesota |
D | Noah Hanafin | Boston College |
D | Johnathan MacLeod | Boston University |
F | Anders Bjork | Notre Dame |
F | Kyle Connor | Michigan |
F | Jack Eichel | Boston University |
F | Jared Fiegl | Cornell |
F | Shane Gersich | North Dakota |
F | Ryan Hitchcock | Yale |
F | Dylan Larkin | Michigan |
F | Auston Matthews | Uncommitted |
F | Sonny Milano | Boston College |
F | Dylan Pavelek | Michigan State |
F | Nolan Stevens | Northeastern |
F | Alex Tuch | Boston College |
F | Joe Wegwerth | Notre Dame |