Monday, December 22, 2014

U.S. Claims Third Straight WJAC

Team filled with future NCAA stars from the USHL beats Denmark in OT title game.


U.S. Claims Third Straight WJAC

A roster filled with future NCAA players from the USHL led the United States to a third consecutive championship at the World Junior A Challenge, culminating with an overtime win against Denmark Saturday in Kindersley, Sask.

Minnesota commit Thomas Novak (River Falls, Wis./Waterloo-USHL) scored the winning goal on a breakaway 4:56 into overtime to secure the 3-2 victory. The U.S. finished 4-0-0 in the tournament and has won 13 straight games in the WJAC.

Nineteen players on the 22-man U.S. roster have committed to 12 different NCAA schools, with Minnesota and North Dakota leading the way with three each. Denver, Notre Dame and Yale all had two recruits on the team.

Two commits – Novak and defenseman Christian Wolanin (North Dakota) – earned spots on the all-tournament team, while uncommitted U.S. goalie Eric Schierhorn and Canada East defenseman Callum Fryer were also honored.

2014 U.S. Junior Select Team

Goaltenders
Cale Morris Chicago Uncommitted
Eric Schierhorn Muskegon Uncommitted
Defensemen
Charlie Curti Cedar Rapids Yale
Blake Hillman Dubuque Denver
Bobby Nardella Tri-City Notre Dame
Mitch Reinke Cedar Rapids Michigan Tech
Hayden Shaw Waterloo North Dakota
Christian Wolanin Muskegon North Dakota
Ryan Zuhlsdorf Sioux City Minnesota
Forwards
Anthony Angello Omaha Cornell
Mason Bergh Chicago Colorado College
Brock Boeser Waterloo Uncommitted
Kyle Connor Youngstown Michigan
Dylan Gambrell Dubuque Denver
Adam Gaudette Cedar Rapids Northeastern
Shane Gersich Omaha North Dakota
Dakota Joshua Sioux Falls Ohio State
Seamus Malone Dubuque Wisconsin
Thomas Novak Waterloo Minnesota
Andrew Oglevie Cedar Rapids Notre Dame
Tylr Sheehy Waterloo Minnesota
Joe Snively Sioux City Yale