Blade6119
12-08-2005, 07:17 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/allan_muir/12/07/inside.nhl/index.html
High expectations
The U.S. is ready to dominate the world juniors event
Posted: Wednesday December 7, 2005 12:34PM; Updated: Wednesday December 7, 2005 2:14PM
Walt Kyle can't say what he really thinks.
Ask him about his team's chances at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships in British Columbia, and the coach of the American squad will tell you his boys are confident they can compete, that they believe they have a chance to win, but that the host Canadians are the favorites.
Kyle has to say that. It's the smart thing to do. No reason to give another team something to post on the bulletin board.
But listen closely. Read between the lines. It's pretty obvious what Kyle thinks of his young charges.
If they live up to their potential, this group could be remembered as the most talented hockey team ever to wear the red, white and blue.
The 2006 World Juniors -- running Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Vancouver, Kamloops and Kelowna -- could be the true coming-out party for American hockey. Sure, the U.S. has won major titles before, but it was always a fluke, lightning in a bottle. The Miracle on Ice. The 1996 World Cup.
The Americans even captured this tournament once before, just two years ago in Helsinki. That team certainly was a strong one, but their gold was a medal the imploding Canadians lost, rather than one the Americans won.
This U.S. team is different, the beneficiary of the years of hard work that have gone into the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. The revolutionary hot-house project for the country's top hockey prospects has led to an explosion of premium American-born talent that is now having an impact in the NHL, with first-wave graduates like Rick DiPietro of the Islanders and Jordan Leopold of the Flames making their marks.
But it is here, at the U-20 level, where the first real bumper crop of talent is ready to be harvested. The 22-man American squad will feature 18 NHL draft picks, four 2006 eligibles, and previously unimaginable depth across the board.
"Our talent is so much deeper than before," Kyle said in a telephone press conference. "We had to cut a number of [NHL] first-rounders from this team. That's never happened before."
It's also a team that's properly motivated. The stands at last year's tournament in Grand Forks, N.D., were filled with red and white sweaters, the rink becoming an extension of Canadian soil as the Canadians celebrated a gold-medal win over Russia, while the U.S. squad failed to medal. Gaining revenge in Vancouver is clearly a priority for the U.S.
"We're going up there to defend something we lost last year," says Jim Johansson, USA Hockey's senior director of hockey operations.
It starts with an explosive offense led by the tournament's most talked-about player, Phil Kessel.
The 18-year-old forward, a native of Madison, Wis., is expected to go first overall in this summer's NHL Entry Draft. He leads the Minnesota Golden Gophers in scoring with 21 points in 16 games, and has earned favorable comparisons to Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, two previous top picks who are tearing up the NHL.
Typical of his understated approach, Kyle was reserved in his praise of his young star.
"Phil is an exceptional talent and a catalyst on this team offensively, but I would also tell you that we're not going to place any over-emphasis on any one individual," Kyle said. "Each of these guys brings a skill that's important to the team."
Skill is something the U.S. has in abundance. Big contributions also are expected from Robbie Schremp, who's averaging a whopping three points per game with London of the Ontario Hockey League; Bobby Ryan, the second overall pick of 2005 (Anaheim), who is second in OHL scoring with 62 points in 27 games; and Jack Skille, a power forward from the University of Wisconsin and property of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Team USA also boasts an interesting prospect in forward Chris Bourque, son of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. The younger Bourque is playing for Hershey in the AHL after being selected in the second round of the last draft, a selection based largely on his performance at the 2005 World Juniors.
The defense has size (average 6-2, 200), speed and is stacked with NHL first-rounders, including Jack Johnson (third overall in 2005, Carolina), Brian Lee (ninth, Ottawa) and Matt Niskanen (28th, Dallas). The blueline corps also features two players expected to go in the first round this year in Erik Johnson (U.S. NTDP) and Mark Mitera (University of Michigan). They might not be as formidable as Canada's back line in 2005, but they're clearly the class of the field this year.
The one area of concern is the American goaltending duo of Cory Schneider (Boston College) and Jeff Frazee (Minnesota). Each has had an up-and-down season and both were pulled from games this past weekend. Both, however, have had success in previous international tournaments and have earned the confidence of their teammates.
It's also worth remembering that the Canadians faced similar concerns last year before Jeff Glass and Rejean Beauchemin turned in two of the finest performances in tournament history.
Despite the Americans' high expectations, Kyle made a strong point at the end of his press conference -- predictions are just predictions. "At the end of the day, they don't mean anything," he said. "We still have to step on ice and get the job done."
That's the right thing to say. But when Kyle looks over his roster, he must sneak a smile to himself. American fans are about to be treated to their finest hockey team ever.
Whether he wants to admit it or not.
High expectations
The U.S. is ready to dominate the world juniors event
Posted: Wednesday December 7, 2005 12:34PM; Updated: Wednesday December 7, 2005 2:14PM
Walt Kyle can't say what he really thinks.
Ask him about his team's chances at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships in British Columbia, and the coach of the American squad will tell you his boys are confident they can compete, that they believe they have a chance to win, but that the host Canadians are the favorites.
Kyle has to say that. It's the smart thing to do. No reason to give another team something to post on the bulletin board.
But listen closely. Read between the lines. It's pretty obvious what Kyle thinks of his young charges.
If they live up to their potential, this group could be remembered as the most talented hockey team ever to wear the red, white and blue.
The 2006 World Juniors -- running Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Vancouver, Kamloops and Kelowna -- could be the true coming-out party for American hockey. Sure, the U.S. has won major titles before, but it was always a fluke, lightning in a bottle. The Miracle on Ice. The 1996 World Cup.
The Americans even captured this tournament once before, just two years ago in Helsinki. That team certainly was a strong one, but their gold was a medal the imploding Canadians lost, rather than one the Americans won.
This U.S. team is different, the beneficiary of the years of hard work that have gone into the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. The revolutionary hot-house project for the country's top hockey prospects has led to an explosion of premium American-born talent that is now having an impact in the NHL, with first-wave graduates like Rick DiPietro of the Islanders and Jordan Leopold of the Flames making their marks.
But it is here, at the U-20 level, where the first real bumper crop of talent is ready to be harvested. The 22-man American squad will feature 18 NHL draft picks, four 2006 eligibles, and previously unimaginable depth across the board.
"Our talent is so much deeper than before," Kyle said in a telephone press conference. "We had to cut a number of [NHL] first-rounders from this team. That's never happened before."
It's also a team that's properly motivated. The stands at last year's tournament in Grand Forks, N.D., were filled with red and white sweaters, the rink becoming an extension of Canadian soil as the Canadians celebrated a gold-medal win over Russia, while the U.S. squad failed to medal. Gaining revenge in Vancouver is clearly a priority for the U.S.
"We're going up there to defend something we lost last year," says Jim Johansson, USA Hockey's senior director of hockey operations.
It starts with an explosive offense led by the tournament's most talked-about player, Phil Kessel.
The 18-year-old forward, a native of Madison, Wis., is expected to go first overall in this summer's NHL Entry Draft. He leads the Minnesota Golden Gophers in scoring with 21 points in 16 games, and has earned favorable comparisons to Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, two previous top picks who are tearing up the NHL.
Typical of his understated approach, Kyle was reserved in his praise of his young star.
"Phil is an exceptional talent and a catalyst on this team offensively, but I would also tell you that we're not going to place any over-emphasis on any one individual," Kyle said. "Each of these guys brings a skill that's important to the team."
Skill is something the U.S. has in abundance. Big contributions also are expected from Robbie Schremp, who's averaging a whopping three points per game with London of the Ontario Hockey League; Bobby Ryan, the second overall pick of 2005 (Anaheim), who is second in OHL scoring with 62 points in 27 games; and Jack Skille, a power forward from the University of Wisconsin and property of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Team USA also boasts an interesting prospect in forward Chris Bourque, son of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. The younger Bourque is playing for Hershey in the AHL after being selected in the second round of the last draft, a selection based largely on his performance at the 2005 World Juniors.
The defense has size (average 6-2, 200), speed and is stacked with NHL first-rounders, including Jack Johnson (third overall in 2005, Carolina), Brian Lee (ninth, Ottawa) and Matt Niskanen (28th, Dallas). The blueline corps also features two players expected to go in the first round this year in Erik Johnson (U.S. NTDP) and Mark Mitera (University of Michigan). They might not be as formidable as Canada's back line in 2005, but they're clearly the class of the field this year.
The one area of concern is the American goaltending duo of Cory Schneider (Boston College) and Jeff Frazee (Minnesota). Each has had an up-and-down season and both were pulled from games this past weekend. Both, however, have had success in previous international tournaments and have earned the confidence of their teammates.
It's also worth remembering that the Canadians faced similar concerns last year before Jeff Glass and Rejean Beauchemin turned in two of the finest performances in tournament history.
Despite the Americans' high expectations, Kyle made a strong point at the end of his press conference -- predictions are just predictions. "At the end of the day, they don't mean anything," he said. "We still have to step on ice and get the job done."
That's the right thing to say. But when Kyle looks over his roster, he must sneak a smile to himself. American fans are about to be treated to their finest hockey team ever.
Whether he wants to admit it or not.