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WJC: 2019 Team USA Roster Talk

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Barratt- Poehling- Chmelevski
Robertson- J. Hughes- Wahlstrom
Farabee- Norris- Madden
Cates- Drury- Walker
O’Brien

Hughes- Keane
Samberg- Anderson
Samuelsson- St. Ivany
Miller

Keyser
Knight
Primeau
 
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Was surprised to see O'brien struggle at Providence considering how good he looked at summer camp. Hope he picks it up.
 
If I had to choose a team right now:

Forwards (x13):

Jason Robertson - Ryan Poehling - Jay O'Brien
Joel Farabee - Jack Hughes - Sasha Chmelevski
Evan Barratt - Josh Norris - Tyler Madden
Noah Cates - Jack Drury - Sammy Walker
Oliver Wahlstrom

Defense (x7):

Dylan Samberg - Joey Keane
Quinn Hughes - Mikey Anderson
K'Andre Miller - Ty Emberson
Mattias Samuelsson

Goalies (x3):

Kyle Keyser
Spencer Knight
Cayden Primeau
​
Notes:

  • Great depth everywhere but right wing. O'Brien's battled injuries with Providence, Wahlstrom's had a horrid start at Boston College after his invisible showing at summer camp, and guys like Dhooghe just aren't up to par for the WJC. I don't see enough of Coskey to get a great read on his chances, but I think they're better than we may think given he earned his way back into contention after being sent home early at the summer camp. I think we'll see a lot of natural centers on this roster, which is evidenced in my picks as 8 of my 13 play center this year.
  • I just can't see a guy like Dhooghe making this team. He's a nice story and it's easy to root for him, but I don't see what he'll be able to bring enough consistently to matter here. He's a great skater, he's a bulldog despite being tiny, and he's got good skill, but he doesn't have the elite skill that would allow him to thrive here like the tiny players before him.
  • Similarly I have trouble seeing Logan Cockerill on this team. He's got great speed, which USAH loves, but he reminds me too much of Luis Mendoza from the Mighty Ducks movies (maybe I just catch him on bad nights): my biggest takeaway is always how uncomposed he is using his speed to his advantage. I would have rather seen Logan Hutsko get an invite here - he's more talented and is a natural RW.
  • Neither Sammy Walker or Jack St. Ivany are shocking invites, but when USAH finds somewhat off-the-radar players they really like, it just seems like they find their way on the roster a la Josh Archibald or Scott Perunovich. Sometimes this goes well (Perunovich) and sometimes it doesn't (Archibald). Right now, I'd bet on Walker being the guy. He's got good skill, he's a great skater, and he's natural center that should be fine at RW where we lack depth. St. Ivany is really intriguing with his size, offensive skill, and right handed shot, but one of his knocks is his foot speed, which is a concern on the big ice. I want to see how he does in camp at the pace of play that comes with the WJC before I start considering him for a spot.
  • Up front, I'd still roll with O'Brien in the top 6. Yes, he hasn't had a great start to his NCAA career, but how much of that is he's been in and out of the lineup with injuries? He did really well at summer camp playing with the top players and he's versatile enough to make an impact on those lines in a variety of ways.
  • Wahlstrom, on the other hand, hasn't battled injuries, has not been good at Boston College, was invisible at summer camp, and isn't versatile like O'Brien. With the lack of RWers and his goal scoring ability, you take him, but I'd start him as 13th forward with spot shifts and PP time. I'm sure most will pencil in the Farabee - Hughes - Wahlstrom line, which is always an option, but I'd rather make him show the fire and work his way up the lineup than the other way around. I don't really expect anything from him come tournament time as I wouldn't be shocked to see him have a WJC career similar to another Team USA sniper in Kieffer Bellows: highly disappointing his first tournament but a star in his second.
  • I expect USAH to pair Samberg - Anderson as they are with UMD, but I prefer a more natural balance on each pairing, which is better attained by splitting those two.
  • Right-handed d-men are short on supply as Keane is the only really strong contender amongst the options. I just don't see what Kemp brings that this team needs as locks like Samberg and Anderson and probable players like Samuelsson can play similar defensive roles, while also having offensive skills, which are non-existent for Kemp. There's been times when taking a pure shutdown guy have worked well for USAH, but I don't think this a year where it's necessary, given the versatility of better players and the deep group of d-men to choose from.
  • I expect Emberson to emerge as the unexpected right-handed d-man. I originally had predicted him as an invite to summer camp and after summer camp I thought he'd get a look in December. He started slowly at Wisconsin, but he's come on very well as of late, and he's an underrated player overall: good size, good skating, can play in all situations and he's also K'Andre Miller's partner at Wisconsin, which doesn't hurt.
  • My goalies are listed in alphabetical order. All three deserve a chance to start in camp, choose the best performer, and give them the role.
 
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Christien said:
Damn no Kaliyev and Wilde
Click to expand...

Its an overage tourney, historically Draft eligibles aside from the generational talents don't have a big enough impact to warrant a roster spot for the simple reason an injury or two and all of a sudden you have depth issues. USA saw it last year when Barrett got hurt but I agree on Wilde, I think he would be a great 2nd PP option for USA and brings much of the same things as some of the others on the list for defense. having said that they are CHL players and much like canada and taking NCAA guys, if all things equal they are going to stay loyal to their countries "program".... which I cannot stand that way of thinking! If Wilde was at Michigan I think he would be on the final roster! Maybe in a decade some of these dinosaurs will be out of these counties federations before they have had the chance to indoctrinate the younger generations and the thought process that goes into picking these teams isn't so archaic!
 
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Can you imagine what a huge media ****show it would be for Team USA if Miller got cut the first year under Vanbiesbrouck?
 
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I have been one of the biggest O'Brien fans out there, I think the kid has tremendous talent, smarts, and grit...but my fear was how healthy was he going to be? NCAA doesn't play a lot of games as is and the kid has missed almost half the season...but he is a 99' so this is his only shot at making this tournament so I have zero issues here. if he is healthy which from his last game looks to be back, then he is a solid add and like Bonney said his versatility will be a Godsend here.

Now to Wall-E....I get that nothing should be handed to him, he needs to earn it plain and simple. his season has been up and down with a disappointing year overall but still plenty of time left to turn things around. these tournaments usually have a way of wiping clean the first half of the season for some only to see them really come on to start the new year. Brady Tkachuk wasn't that much different either.

I would see how his play in camp is, if he is engaged and driving to the net then I want to see him with Hughes and Farabee. but if he is loafing around out there like Laine does at times only looking for one timers, then drop him down to 13th forward and power play only...Wall-E controls his fate here, if he plays like he is capable of he should be in the top 6 no doubt, but if he slacks off or watches others out work him, he will have a tough time here.

For now this is how I would like to see the team, and I am sure most will be similar outside of 1-2 guys being swapped in.

Forwards

Jason Robertson - Josh Norris - Sasha Chmelevski
Joel Farabee - Jack Hughes - Oliver Wahlstrom
Evan Barratt - Ryan Poehling - Jay O'Brien
Noah Cates - Jack Drury - Tyler Madden
Cole Coskey

Defense

Dylan Samberg - Mikey Anderson
Quinn Hughes - Joey Keane
K'Andre Miller - Ty Emberson
Mattias Samuelsson

Knight
Keyser
Primeau





​
 
William H Bonney said:
If I had to choose a team right now:

Forwards (x13):

Jason Robertson - Ryan Poehling - Jay O'Brien
Joel Farabee - Jack Hughes - Sasha Chmelevski
Evan Barratt - Josh Norris - Tyler Madden
Noah Cates - Jack Drury - Sammy Walker
Oliver Wahlstrom

Defense (x7):

Dylan Samberg - Joey Keane
Quinn Hughes - Mikey Anderson
K'Andre Miller - Ty Emberson
Mattias Samuelsson

Goalies (x3):

Kyle Keyser
Spencer Knight
Cayden Primeau
​
Notes:

  • Great depth everywhere but right wing. O'Brien's battled injuries with Providence, Wahlstrom's had a horrid start at Boston College after his invisible showing at summer camp, and guys like Dhooghe just aren't up to par for the WJC. I don't see enough of Coskey to get a great read on his chances, but I think they're better than we may think given he earned his way back into contention after being sent home early at the summer camp. I think we'll see a lot of natural centers on this roster, which is evidenced in my picks as 8 of my 13 play center this year.
  • I just can't see a guy like Dhooghe making this team. He's a nice story and it's easy to root for him, but I don't see what he'll be able to bring enough consistently to matter here. He's a great skater, he's a bulldog despite being tiny, and he's got good skill, but he doesn't have the elite skill that would allow him to thrive here like the tiny players before him.
  • Similarly I have trouble seeing Logan Cockerill on this team. He's got great speed, which USAH loves, but he reminds me too much of Luis Mendoza from the Mighty Ducks movies (maybe I just catch him on bad nights): my biggest takeaway is always how uncomposed he is using his speed to his advantage. I would have rather seen Logan Hutsko get an invite here - he's more talented and is a natural RW.
  • Neither Sammy Walker or Jack St. Ivany are shocking invites, but when USAH finds somewhat off-the-radar players they really like, it just seems like they find their way on the roster a la Josh Archibald or Scott Perunovich. Sometimes this goes well (Perunovich) and sometimes it doesn't (Archibald). Right now, I'd bet on Walker being the guy. He's got good skill, he's a great skater, and he's natural center that should be fine at RW where we lack depth. St. Ivany is really intriguing with his size, offensive skill, and right handed shot, but one of his knocks is his foot speed, which is a concern on the big ice. I want to see how he does in camp at the pace of play that comes with the WJC before I start considering him for a spot.
  • Up front, I'd still roll with O'Brien in the top 6. Yes, he hasn't had a great start to his NCAA career, but how much of that is he's been in and out of the lineup with injuries? He did really well at summer camp playing with the top players and he's versatile enough to make an impact on those lines in a variety of ways.
  • Wahlstrom, on the other hand, hasn't battled injuries, has not been good at Boston College, was invisible at summer camp, and isn't versatile like O'Brien. With the lack of RWers and his goal scoring ability, you take him, but I'd start him as 13th forward with spot shifts and PP time. I'm sure most will pencil in the Farabee - Hughes - Wahlstrom line, which is always an option, but I'd rather make him show the fire and work his way up the lineup than the other way around. I don't really expect anything from him come tournament time as I wouldn't be shocked to see him have a WJC career similar to another Team USA sniper in Kieffer Bellows: highly disappointing his first tournament but a star in his second.
  • I expect USAH to pair Samberg - Anderson as they are with UMD, but I prefer a more natural balance on each pairing, which is better attained by splitting those two.
  • Right-handed d-men are short on supply as Keane is the only really strong contender amongst the options. I just don't see what Kemp brings that this team needs as locks like Samberg and Anderson and probable players like Samuelsson can play similar defensive roles, while also having offensive skills, which are non-existent for Kemp. There's been times when taking a pure shutdown guy have worked well for USAH, but I don't think this a year where it's necessary, given the versatility of better players and the deep group of d-men to choose from.
  • I expect Emberson to emerge as the unexpected right-handed d-man. I originally had predicted him as an invite to summer camp and after summer camp I thought he'd get a look in December. He started slowly at Wisconsin, but he's come on very well as of late, and he's an underrated player overall: good size, good skating, can play in all situations and he's also K'Andre Miller's partner at Wisconsin, which doesn't hurt.
  • My goalies are listed in alphabetical order. All three deserve a chance to start in camp, choose the best performer, and give them the role.
Click to expand...


I love the idea of putting Sasha with Hughes.
 
Jaykay said:
What media? The media in the US doesn't care enough about this tournament to make a story out of that.
Click to expand...

Sad but true.... its marketed for crap... when its oversees USA games are usually called by two dudes in a booth at NHL Network Studios watching it on a TV and they think we are too dumb to notice! Missed opportunity for NBCSN but then again when are they not missing opportunities?!?! They do it on a weekly basis....
 
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Go Away Staal said:
He's not.

He's been great so far, but with 2 returnees on the left side, there is going to be pretty heavy competition for that final spot.

That said, it should be his spot to lose.
Click to expand...

Hes a lock, he can also play his offside if needed... If USA hockey was thinking about not taking him they would have had Wilde on the list.... If he isn't on the final roster, USA hockey is dumber than we all think they are....
 
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Joe Zanussi said:
I love the idea of putting Sasha with Hughes.
Click to expand...
Don't know much about O'brien other than he's a first rounder out of Mass. Hasn't done much at providence. As usual, USA hockey has some head scratchers. Soembody looks at them the wrong way and they snub them.. Debrincat, Yandle, Quick, Connner etc. Politics. I understand they like kids going through the US system, but if you pass up on a kid that can help you win a gold, you're an idiot. Hockey Canada has The Steve Yzerman's and Mike Babcock's of the world who are elite hockey minds. We have failed Junior hockey coaches who hold grudges. USA hockey is right there with Canada. We can't win World Championships or other major events because the leadership at the top is incompetent. To take the Kemp kid over Reilly Walsh is a joke! Canada is going to stomp this team. Thanks to the genius USA hockey morons.
 
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UNITEDSTATESOFHOCKEY said:
Sad but true.... its marketed for crap... when its oversees USA games are usually called by two dudes in a booth at NHL Network Studios watching it on a TV and they think we are too dumb to notice! Missed opportunity for NBCSN but then again when are they not missing opportunities?!?! They do it on a weekly basis....
Click to expand...

NBCSN used to have Men’s Worlds but NHL Network took it over. NBCSN has been doing a good job covering NCAA hockey recently. Its easy for NHL Network to use the TSN feed and announcers who are better.
 
UNITEDSTATESOFHOCKEY said:
Why would that even happen?!?! K'Andre is a mortal lock
Click to expand...
This:
Aside from his on-ice play, Vanbiesbrouck might be best remembered for what he did after his 2002 retirement, when he took over the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and called the team’s black captain a “n----r.”
Click to expand...

Vanbiesbrouck confirmed using the slur, telling The Sault Star, “I used the n-word instead of calling him Trevor.” Vanbiesbrouck acknowledged using it “more than once.”
Click to expand...

https://deadspin.com/john-vanbiesbroucks-comeback-from-calling-trevor-daley-1826300684
 
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Are the College players and CHL players playing with their clubs this weekend or they already at US camp?
 
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