2021 U.S. National Junior Team Game Notes 2021 Iihf World Junior Championship | Edmonton, Alberta | Dec
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2021 U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM GAME NOTES 2021 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP | EDMONTON, ALBERTA | DEC. 25, 2020 - JAN. 5, 2021 PRELIMINARY GAME • USA (0-0-0-0) VS. RUSSIA (0-0-0-0 ) • EDMONTON, ALBERTA • ROGERS PLACE • DECEMBER 25, 2020 VERSUS RUSSIA FAMILIAR FACES In the IIHF World Junior Championship, U.S. and Russia have The U.S. returns eight players from last year's roster, including met 22 previous times, with Russia holding an 9-1-0-12-0 both goaltenders Spencer Knight and Dustin Wolf. In total, (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) advantage. However, the United States has U.S. players who scored 56% of goals, and 54% of team total had recent success with a five-game win streak against Russia, points last year are set to return for the Americans in 2021. as the two teams have split their past 10 games with five wins Trevor Zegras led all Americans last year with nine points, apiece. The two teams have only played overtime once, with the all assists, including his memorable four-assist game against United States pulling ahead in the semifinals during the 2017 Germany. Arthur Kaliyev leads the returning forward corps, World Juniors. after notching four goals in 2020. Knight is playing in his third World Junior Championship, after winning a silver medal as the TALKING POINTS third goaltender in 2019, and playing four of the United States' five games in 2020. Knight is only the third goaltender in USA FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK history to appear in three World Junior Championships. Cam The U.S. is currently on a five-game win streak against Russia, York is the lone returner on the blue line. including last year's preliminary round 3-1 win. Arthur Kaliyev scored twice, and Trevor Zegras dished out two assists. Cole U.S. GAME SCHEDULE Caufield was also credited with an assist in the game. Spencer DATE OPPONENT TIME (LOCAL/ET) Knight stopped 25 of 26 shots in the win. All-time matchup information found on Page 6. TUES., DEC. 22 FINLAND* W, 3-2 Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place TOURNAMENT GAME DATE RESULT 2020 Preliminary 12/29/19 W, 3-1 FRI., DEC. 25 RUSSIA 7:30 PM/9:30 PM 2019 Semifinals 1/4/19 W, 2-1 Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place 2018 Quarterfinals 1/2/18 W, 4-2 SAT., DEC. 26 AUSTRIA 7:30 PM/9:30 PM 2017 Semifinals 1/4/17 OTW, 4-3 Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place 2017 Preliminary 12/29/16 W, 3-2 TUES., DEC. 29 CZECH REPUBLIC 12:00 PM/2:00 PM CLOSE GAMES Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place Eleven consecutive games between the United States and THUR., DEC. 31 SWEDEN 7:30 PM/9:30 PM Russia have been decided by two goals or less, dating Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place back to Team USA's 3-2 win in the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship. Of those 11 games, seven were decided by just SAT., JAN. 2 QUARTERFINALS TBD one goal. Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place MON., JAN. 4 SEMIFINALS TBD GONE CAMPING Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place OCTOBER CAMP Due to COVID-19 restrictions, USA Hockey was unable to host TUES., JAN. 5 BRONZE-MEDAL GAME 3:30 PM/5:30 AM its annual World Junior Summer Showcase, that would normally Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place play host to games between the United States, Canada, Finland TUES., JAN. 5 GOLD-MEDAL GAME 7:30 PM/9:30 PM and Sweden. The United States did hold a National Junior Edmonton, Alberta Rogers Place Evaluation Camp in Plymouth, Mich. at USA Hockey Arena from Oct. 8-13 that included 42 players. The camp, featuring three *Pre-tournament game All U.S. tournament games will be televised live on NHL Network days of intrasquad competition, allowed general manager John TEAM USA AT THE WORLD JUNIORS Vanbiesbrouck and his staff to review the talent pool of American Entering the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, the United players born in 2001 or later. States holds a 142-10-6-118-11 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) all-time DECEMBER CAMP record in world junior championship play. Most recently, Team USA Hockey invited 29 players back to Plymouth, Mich., on USA finished sixth at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 6, for a week-long camp in preparation for the World Junior in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic, after earning a silver in Championship. 2019 at Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. To date, Team USA has earned 12 podium finishes, including four gold medals WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN TRAINING? (2004, 2010, 2013, 2017), two silver medals (1997, 2019) and Not all leagues have been able to begin their seasons, meaning six bronze medals (1986, 1992, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2018). The some of Team USA's players have not played a game since last United States has medaled in six of the last 10 years, including season. Below is a list of those players and where they've been a four year streak from 2016-19 that set a new U.S. record. The training. United States celebrated a successful decade from 2010-2020, collecting seven medals in 10 years. The three gold medals Sam Colangelo: has been training with Northeastern University (2010, 2013, 2017) were only matched by Finland. The United Arthur Kaliyev: trained with Los Angeles Kings States has featured four tournament Most Valuable Players, Alex Turcotte: trained at USA Hockey Arena with Cole Caufield Zach Parise (2004), John Gibson (2013), Casey Mittelstadt and Cam York, in addition to training, in addition to training with (2018) and Ryan Poehling (2019). Los Angeles Kings, and briefly trained in Germany with Eisbären Berlin MEDIA INFORMATION Dustin Wolf: trained in Stockton, Calif. with Flames organization, All U.S. National Junior Team players, as well as head coach Nate and traveled to Michigan early to train at USA Hockey Arena Leaman, will be available for interviews in designated media Zooms following practices and games. Members of the media are not allowed in Trevor Zegras: trained with the Anaheim Ducks the U.S. dressing room at any time. DOWN THE ROAD MEDIA CONTACT: AARON WESTENDORF Jake Sanderson's grandparents live in Edmonton, Alberta. This 512.422.7752 [email protected] year's World Juniors was going to be the first time in over two All media availability with U.S. team members must be arranged through years seeing their grandson play in person. Instead, they'll be Aaron Westendorf, who is on-site with Team USA throughout the event. cheering on Jake and Team USA from the comfort of their home ONLINE MEDIA GUIDE TEAMUSA.USAHOCKEY.COM/WORLDJUNIORS2021 this year. Team USA information, including bios, team schedule, news and team history are available at the official website of USA Hockey's national teams. @USAHOCKEY • TEAMUSA.USAHOCKEY.COM/WORLDJUNIORS2021 • USAHOCKEY.COM • #USAWJC 1 2021 U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM NOTES PRELIMINARY GAME VS. RUSSIA • DECEMBER 25, 2020 ADDITIONAL NOTES PENALTY KILL VIRTUAL FANS In last year's preliminary game against Russia, the United States Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no fans in attendance penalty kill unit led by goaltender Spencer Knight effectively shut at this year's World Junior Championship. However, there will still down all six Russian power play opportunities. be fans cheering on teams, albeit virtually, this year. Team USA has some special guests in its virtual crowd, including friends and MEET THE CAPTAINS family for some of the players. Matt Boldy's father, Todd, will be Cam York was voted as team captain on Dec. 24 prior to the in attendance and says, "Go get the gold boys!" Dustin Wolf's team's first preliminary game. Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte will mother, Michelle, will also be logging in from the Wolf's house in serve as alternate captains for tonight's game against Russia. Washington. She says, "We'll be together as a family on the 25th rooting on our boys!" U.S. National Team Development Program (C) CAM YORK: One of eight returners from last year’s National Under-17 player Frank Nazar is joining the fan section. Landon Junior Team, York is currently a sophomore at the University of Slaggert's cousins Mitchell and Morgan Nave have had their Michigan (Big Ten). This is York’s first time serving as a captain youth seasons cancelled due to COVID-19, but they're logged for Team USA, after playing in both the 2018 and 2019 IIHF in and ready to cheer on USA. USA Hockey also invited fans Under-18 Men’s World Championships, where he earned a silver to apply to join the virtual cheering section. Youth player Adam and bronze medal. In the 2019 tournament, York set tournament Korom said, "My parents will let me stay up and watch the whole records for all-time tournament points by a defenseman (17) and game if I'm selected." And best of all, Brenton Parsons promised all-time tournament assists by a defenseman (13). York is the lone to "paint my entire family red, white and blue. America." returner from the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship on the blue line for the Americans. The defenseman was teammates with TEAM USA ON ZOOM Caufield and Turcotte from 2017-19 at the U.S. National Team During the four-day isolation quarantine, Team USA spent time Development Program. A native of Anaheim, Calif., York was on Zoom with notable U.S. National Junior Team alumni Patrick drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, 14th overall. Kane (2007), Charlie McAvoy (2016, 2017) and Dylan Larkin (2015).