For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
USA Hockey finalized their coaching staff for the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Friday, with University of Wisconsin’s Tony Granato named as head coach and made it clear that the American squad would respect the NHL edict of non-participation next February and would not try to recruit players signed to NHL contracts.
Players in Europe or signed to AHL contracts could be part of Team USA, but it appears that the Americans will predominately be using NCAA talent to fill out the roster for Pyeongchang. That could mean that the goalies battling for a starting spot for the World Junior Championship in December and January in Buffalo could also be auditing for a trip halfway across the world the following month.
Dallas first round Jake Oettinger and Toronto Maple Leafs 2016 third rounder Joseph Woll are splitting Team USA’s final games at this week’s WJC Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI. Oettinger made 37 saves in a 4-3 victory over Finland on Friday, but Woll is drawing the tougher assignment against Team Canada in the tournament finale on Saturday night.
USA Today’s Kevin Allen wrote last week that it is possible that the Americans could go the more experienced route with former AHLer David Leggio, current AHLer John Muse, or Jokerit goalie Ryan Zapolski, it is possible that NCAA candidates Merrick Madsen (Harvard), Woll (Boston College) and Oettinger (Boston U) could be selected if they have good seasons.
Woll is thought to have the inside track on the World Junior starting job in Buffalo after splitting the workload with Tyler Parsons last January, and if that is the case and he performs as well in international competition as he did 12 months ago, it might give the 19-year-old the inside track for Pyeongchang as well.
******* The Maple Leafs management team of GM Lou Lamoriello, Asst. GM’s Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas and head coach Mike Babcock took in Team Canada’s 7-4 victory over Sweden on Friday and 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren once again made an impressive showing.
Leafs management at the WJSS. These guys don't get enough credit. Always busy, always working. pic.twitter.com/33LHTTRJMQ
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) August 4, 2017
The 18-year-old blueliner took on a larger role for Sweden with potential 2018 top pick Rasmus Dahlin still out with an illness. Liljegren led the club with four shots and opened the scoring with a shot just inside the blueline that beat Canadian goalie Michael DiPietro from just inside the blueline.
#Leafs top pick Timothy Liljegren scores for Sweden against Canada at the WJC Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI. pic.twitter.com/6Aem4KTRQx
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 4, 2017
Sweden plays their final game of the tournament against Finland on Saturday afternoon.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******