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Team USA - Who Got Cut & Why

December 22, 2010, 11:05 AM ET [ Comments]
Julie Robenhymer
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2011 US National Junior Team

Goaltenders - Jack Campbell, Andy Iles
Defensemen - Brian Dumoulin, Justin Faulk, Derek Forbort, Nick Leddy, Jon Merrill, John Ramage, Patrick Wey
Forwards - Nick Bjugstad, Ryan Bourque, Chris Brown, Mitch Callahan, Charlie Coyle, Jerry D'Amigo, Emerson Etem, Chris Kreider, Jeremy Morin, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Drew Shore, Jason Zucker

Analysis coming up...

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I'll start with the guys who were cut since many of you are asking why this guy or that guy didn't make the team.

Connor Brickley (Vermont, FLA) - He brought a lot of spit and vinegar to the lineup, unfortunately, that's all he brought. He's not known for his offensive abilities and wasn't able to develop any offensive chemistry on various lines and sometimes you just saw him looking around for someone to check into the boards. While there's a role for that on most hockey teams, in a tournament like this you need players that have a multi-dimensional game and Connor just hasn't developed it yet to the level the powers that be were looking for.

Adam Clendening (BU, DE11) - A few weeks ago, I would have been surprised by this, but after seeing him play this past weekend, I'm not. He was so impressive during the evaluation camp and during the start of his freshman year at Boston University, but this weekend, he just didn't play up to the level he's capable of. I did see him limping one day after practice, but it wasn't anything that kept him from playing, but whatever made him limp could very well be what kept him from playing the best he could and that's unfortunate.

Rocco Grimaldi (NTDP, DE11) - Rocco has tremendous talent, but he's small...very small (5-6, 161). The biggest question for him making this team and especially to be drafted next summer is can he play with guys who are nearly twice his size? As a 17-year old, the answer is no, but he will have every opportunity in Ann Arbor to work on his strength and be able to win more one-on-one battles. Beyond that he can skate like the wind, has amazing accuracy and is great in the face off circle.

Matt Nieto (BU, DE11) - Matt was bubblicious for me to even be invited to this camp, so I'm not surprised he was sent home, especially since he had a lackluster showing at the start of camp. His saving grace would have been to be on a line with fellow Terrier Charlie Coyle - because of an injury at BU, Nieto had the opportunity to play with Coyle and his offensive production went through the roof - but that's just not how things worked out.

Jamie Oleksiak (Northeastern, DE11) - Like I said yesterday, he looked to be on the outside looking in and when he wasn't dressed for last night's game, the writing was on the wall. He's quite mobile for a big guy, but not mobile enough to beat out other guys who could provide the same physicality with more speed. Definitely keep your eye on him though...he's got what it takes for a long career.

Brandon Saad (Saginaw, DE11) - Brandon didn't make this team because you never noticed him on the ice. It's not like he did anything bad...just didn't do anything noteworthy. At one point late in Sunday's game I had to count the players on the bench to see if anyone was missing because I didn't remember seeing him on the ice for over a period. Shocking for someone playing on a line with Brock Nelson and Chris Brown who had combined for two goals.

Philip Samuelsson (BC, PIT) - I think this had to be the toughest cut of all. Phil had a great showing and any other year would have made this team, but there was just too much talent on the blueline this year. He'll continue to flourish at BC as a shutdown defender.

Julie
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