Press Release
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey’s National Team Development
Program, which enters its 17th season on ice in 2013-14, today announced
the roster and schedule for its U.S. Men's National Under-17 Team. The
squad, comprised of some of the top American-born players in the 1997
birth year, will compete against teams from the Minnesota Elite League,
North American Hockey League and United States Hockey League in addition
to taking part in three international competitions during the course of
the season.
The 22-player roster features eight defensemen, including Nicholas Boka (Plymouth, Mich.), Christian Evers (Waukee, Iowa), Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), Noah Hanifin (Norwood, Mass.), Caleb Jones (Frisco, Texas), Joseph Masonius (Spring Lake, N.J.), Charles McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe, Mich.).
The 12 forwards include Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.), Christian Fischer (Wayne, Ill.), Michael Floodstrand (Hinsdale, Ill.), Jordan Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.), Luke Kirwan (Dewitt, N.Y.), Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.), Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Jack Roslovic (Columbus, Ohio), Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.), Brendan Warren (Carelton, Mich.), Colin White (Hanover, Mass.) and Dennis Yan (Troy, Mich.).
Backstopping Team USA will be Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) and Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.).
Don Granato is in his third season at the NTDP and will serve as the head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team for the 2013-14 season. Nick Fohr will enter his third season as an assistant to Granato, while Josh Brown will serve as intern assistant coach for the second straight season.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team kicks off the 2013-14 campaign at
home with a NAHL preseason contest Sept. 13 against the Janesville Jets.
It will begin its 34-game USHL regular-season schedule Sept. 21 at the
Ann Arbor Ice Cube against the Youngstown Phantoms.
The U.S. will compete internationally at the 2013 Four Nations
Tournament Nov. 6-10 in Slovakia; at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey
Challenge in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, from Dec. 28, 2013-Jan. 4, 2014;
and at the 2014 Five Nations Tournament Feb. 5-9 in Sweden.
Tickets for home games played at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube are just $7
for adults and $5 for children, seniors and active military members.
Youth hockey players wearing their team jerseys are admitted for just
$1. Tickets can be purchased by calling the NTDP front office at (734)
327-9251.
For Team USA's complete schedule, click here.
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
