Some tidbits for you to chew on from USA Hockey's National Junior Team Selection Camp...
- Stefan Noesen, a first round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2011 and point per game player for the Plymouth Whalers this season, was suspended by the OHL for 10 games after a hit in a game on December 8th. According to IIHF bylaws, they will uphold any suspension given by a partnering organization. Noesen wouldn't be eligible to play again for Plymouth until January 11th and therefore is not eligible for the duration of the tournament and was sent home from camp earlier this morning. Disappointing way for a player to miss his chance of competing in this tournament.
- Some are asking why Jonathan Huberdeau is still eligible given his 4 game suspension issued by the QMJHL after knocking down an official in his last game played before reporting to Hockey Canada's Selection Camp. His suspension ends on December 21st and will not be able to play in Canada's exhibition against Finland on December 20th, but is eligible from that point on.
- The loss of Noesen creates an opportunity for someone else as there are now only three cuts to be made. There's been a lot of debate regarding defensemen, especially of the offensive variety, but after talking with head coach Phil Housley, he wants guys who can jump up into the play and join the rush almost as a fourth forward. In my opinion, that means Mike Reilly, Shayne Gostisbehere and Matt Grzelcyk all make this team assuming they perform to their abilities and are healthy. You pair them with strong two-way defensemen in Jacob Trouba, the only returning blueliner from last year, Seth Jones, who is making his case to be selected 1st overall in the next NHL Draft and would have been on this team last year had he not separated his shoulder in a pre-tournament exhibition game, and Connor Murphy, who also had his name penciled in on Team USA's roster last year before he tore his meniscus in the final days of the summer evaluation camp in Lake Placid that put him on the shelf for four months. That leaves Jake McCabe, Pat Sieloff and Brady Skjei battling it out for the last spot on the blueline. That said, Jim Johannson did not rule out the possibility of bringing 12 forwards and eight defensemen to Ufa.
- Some of you have asked why USA Hockey starts their camp "so late"...you could also ask why Hockey Canada starts their camp "so early". It's all relative and doesn't really matter considering there is no getting to know you period with these US players. All but two of them were in Lake Placid for the entire 10 days of the Evaluation Camp and the two that weren't were both members of the US National Team Development Program and won gold medals with Team USA at the U-18 World Championships. But to answer your question....with several players on this roster enrolled full-time at college, USA Hockey did not want to interfere with their final exams and scheduled accordingly, just like they do every year.
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I'm working on a few features for you guys based on the players you said you wanted to hear from so keep the suggestions/questions/comments coming and I'll do my best to get it done!
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UPDATE: NHL Network Announces Coverage Details of the World Junior Championship
Pre-Tournament Exhibition Games
Thurs., Dec. 20
USA vs. Sweden* 12:30pm ET - Live; no replay
Sat., Dec. 22
Finland vs. USA* 6:00am ET - Live, no replay
2013 IIHF World Junior Championship - Ufa, Russia
Wed., Dec. 26
Canada vs. Germany 4:30am ET - Live, replay at 6:30pm ET
Russia vs. Slovakia 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 8:00pm ET
Thurs., Dec. 27
USA vs. Germany 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 8:00pm ET - Live stream on NHL.com
Fri., Dec. 28
Slovakia vs. Canada 4:30am ET - Live, replay at 5:30pm ET
USA vs. Russia 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 8:00pm ET - Live stream on NHL.com
Sat., Dec. 29
Russia vs. Germany 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 5:30pm ET
Sun., Dec. 30
USA vs. Canada 4:30am ET - Live, replay at 8:00pm ET - Live stream on NHL.com
Germany vs. Slovakia 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 5:30pm ET
Mon., Dec. 31
USA vs. Slovakia 5:00am ET - Live, replay at 8:00pm ET - Live stream on NHL.com
Canada vs. Russia 9:00am ET - Live, replay at 5:30pm ET
Wed., Jan. 2
Quarterfinal #1 4:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Quarterfinal #2 8:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Thurs., Jan. 3
Semifinal #1 4:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Semifinal #2 8:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Sat., Jan. 5
Bronze Medal Game 4:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Gold Medal Game 8:00am ET - Live, replay TBD
Julie
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