After three days of evaluation and 4 scrimmages, Team USA has made its first round io cuts from its WJC training camp in Lake Placid.
One Sabres prospect has been cut, another is still with team USA.
Williamsville born power forward
Justin Bailey has been cut. Michigan University forward
JT Compher has survive the first round of cuts, and will face Team Canada later this week
Bailey played LW on the fourth line for the USA Blue Team, while winger Compher played a top six role for USA White.
Both players were selected in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Frankly, I'm disappointed for Bailey. He's a great kid and he really wanted to make a strong impression at this camp. I feel like he played very well for Team USA Blue. I watched the majority of the two scrimmages that he played in and I liked his effort in each game. Bailey will now concentrate his efforts on getting in tip-top shape to begin his sophomore season for the Kitchener Rangers.
Thanks, Sabres Prospects
The augmented Team USA roster will play Sweden on Wednesday (8/7), Finland on Thursday (8/8) and Canada on Saturday (8/10). All games are being played at the Olympic Center's 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.
From USA Hockey:
"As a staff, we have been happy with the players' intensity and compete level," Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations and the general manager of the 2014 United States national junior team. "The players released today will continue to be evaluated this fall for Team USA. For the players that are staying, the games this week give us an opportunity to continue assessing them."
18 forwards, 10 defensemen and 3 goalies remain in Team USA camp.
I was shocked to read Justin Bailey's name on the cut list. He played exceptionally well in Sunday's scrimmage vs. Finland. He used his 6'3 195 lb. frame to hold pucks and to billy his way to the frint of the Findland net. Bailey earned on assist in his two games played.
Other USA forwards cut:
John Hayden (Chicago Blackhawks), Vincent Hinostroza (Chicago Blackhawks), Matthew Lane (2014 draft eligible), and Brady Vail (Montreal Canadiens.
Also officially cut was Winnipeg Jets draft pick James Lodge, who sustained an upper-body injury Saturday.
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Among the 6 D cut from the roster was Anthony DeAngelo, a top prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft. Gage Ausmus (San Jose Sharks), Dylan Blujus (Tampa Bay Lightning), Nick Ebert (Los Angeles Kings), Keaton Thompson (Anaheim Ducks) and Thomas Vannelli (St. Louis Blues).
were the other D sent home.
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