Big news out of Ann Arbor, Mich., and USA Hockey: our Under-18s routed Russia in the gold medal game 5-0 last night in Fargo, N.D. That followed a 2-1 semifinal victory over Canada. There are some terrific photos of the triumphant young Americans on the USA Hockey web site.
Also, the American roster has been announced for this year’s World Championships in Switzerland. The Americans will be coached by Ron Wilson, who will also guide Team USA in the Vancouver Olympic games next year. Wils will have Robert Esche and Al Montoya in net. On defense: Keith Ballard, Zach Bogosian, Ron Hainsey, Jack Johnson, Matt Niskanen, and Ryan Suter. Up front: Jason Blake, Dustin Brown, Nick Foligno, Peter Harrold, Kyle Okposo, Patrick O’Sullivan, Ryan Shannon, Drew Stafford, Lee Stempniak, Colin Stuart, and Colin Wilson (the national champion Terrier recently inked by Nashville).
A couple of reinforcements are sure to arrive from the vanquished from first-round NHL action, but Ryan Miller — a mortal lock for 2010 Olympics — has opted out. David Booth, Florida’s leading scorer, is without a contract this offseason and is still weighing his participation, and at the Worlds last year he watched teammate Jeff Halpern wreck his knee again. He, too, will be in Vancouver for Coach Wilson.
The Americans will begin tournament play this Saturday against Latvia.
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