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WJC: 2024 Team USA Roster Talk

Again, my opinion is totally biased because I've watched Oke (and not the others) over the last few years and I've seen the USA goalies struggle in the actual tournament. That said, if Oke is going to be the 3rd goalie and be a healthy scratch, I'd honestly/selfishly rather see him stay in Saginaw and keep getting us wins. With us hosting the Memorial Cup this year, we're in the process of loading up with trades and we don't just want the automatic berth, we want to win the entire league so every win counts for home ice in the playoffs. I always love when a Saginaw guy makes the World Juniors (we'll have Sapovaliv there this year and maybe Misa/Parekh next year) but this year I hope they all stick around since we have high hopes for this season.
 
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William H Bonney said:
In the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter who's the #3 goalie. If your tournament gets to the point where your #3 goalie needs to try and save the team then things have most likely gone completely off the rails already.
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Sure but they were pretty close to going off the rails with Augustine, Mbereko and Oke last go around
 
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sigx15 said:
Sure but they were pretty close to going off the rails with Augustine, Mbereko and Oke last go around
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Yeah, but they're not remotely similar situations.

Last tournament there was no definitive starter. Mbereko had the experience but not the size or quality; we all knew he wouldn't be up to challenge. Augustine had the promise but was only 17. And Oke was a completely unknown entity.

This tournament you have two guys who aren't underage playing premier roles in the NCAA clearly worthy of being the team's starter. Whether they perform up to that standard is to be seen. But any team in most WJCs would be thankful to have 1 goalie of their pedigree, let alone 2.

I hope Oke (or anyone else) plays so well they make it a 3-headed monster of goalie options. But I think people need to temper their enthusiasm over a really strong 5 game stretch from Oke given his limited productive history. Why shouldn't there be similar enthusiasm for Sam Hillebrandt instead?
 
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William H Bonney said:
Yeah, but they're not remotely similar situations.

Last tournament there was no definitive starter. Mbereko had the experience but not the size or quality; we all knew he wouldn't be up to challenge. Augustine had the promise but was only 17. And Oke was a completely unknown entity.

This tournament you have two guys who aren't underage playing premier roles in the NCAA clearly worthy of being the team's starter. Whether they perform up to that standard is to be seen. But any team in most WJCs would be thankful to have 1 goalie of their pedigree, let alone 2.

I hope Oke (or anyone else) plays so well they make it a 3-headed monster of goalie options. But I think people need to temper their enthusiasm over a really strong 5 game stretch from Oke given his limited productive history. Why shouldn't there be similar enthusiasm for Sam Hillebrandt instead?
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Ya I agree. All I was saying, it's not a bad idea to have a more solid 3rd goalie than bringing in someone to get some practice reps like Kempf. I'm of the belief Fowler is going to take the job and run with it but we'll see. They're in a much better spot than last year with their goalie situation for sure
 
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I’d rather a guy that can come back next year. Fowler can’t return next year, so we’re going to need another goalie to play next year. And you never know if Augustine gets injured or is playing terrible at the wrong time. Thats why I’d start the preparation for that spot early.

If they go with Oke, it’s not worth being mad over. There’s no great option for the third spot.
 
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Pavel Buchnevich said:
I’d rather a guy that can come back next year. Fowler can’t return next year, so we’re going to need another goalie to play next year. And you never know if Augustine gets injured or is playing terrible at the wrong time. Thats why I’d start the preparation for that spot early.

If they go with Oke, it’s not worth being mad over. There’s no great option for the third spot.
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Where I'm at as well. No obvious younger guy to bring along. After the U17 season one would have hoped Parsons might be the guy but he's been horrific this year. Kempf has looked excellent so far in his U18 season but still a small enough sample size to not be an obvious choice. If he keeps it up though for the next 3 weeks I'd at least invite him to the camp.
 
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Wel…..stramel got his first tonite. That’s something I guess. Reminds me of the Kiefer Bellows year where he almost played himself off the team.
 
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Jaykay said:
Stramel will probably be a 4th liner anyways if he makes the team, so maybe it's not as crucial for him to be scoring leading up to the tournament, but it sure would be nice to get him going.

Chris Peters weighs in: 2024 World Juniors: Team USA Roster Updates, Bubble Watch - FloHockey
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Is it wrong to see Stramel as a version of New Jersey's Michael McLeod? The fact that the Badgers are 10-4 (including sweeps of Michigan and Minnesota) seems to suggest some value beyond the points; having yet to see the Badgers play this is admittedly conjecture.

Also curious as to whether Cruz Lucius has played himself into a camp invite - if not a spot on the team.
 
Jersey Fan 12 said:
Thanks for the article. thought someone like Leddy or another defense-first defenseman might be warranted but it sounds like Peters sees better options.
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I'm shocked to see Leddy not mentioned. He's by far a better defenseman at the moment than Fortesque. That's not saying Fortesque has been bad but Leddy has been a rock for BC, especially on the PK
 
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Peters is far less plugged into USAH - both in terms of his contacts and his coverage - than he used to be. I get why he's not anymore but it's a bummer as he used to be a source of inside information. Now he's not really different than any of us posting a prediction.
 
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William H Bonney said:
Peters is far less plugged into USAH - both in terms of his contacts and his coverage - than he used to be. I get why he's not anymore but it's a bummer as he used to be a source of inside information. Now he's not really different than any of us posting a prediction.
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Ya there's been so many changes there since he was working for them, it'd be pretty hard for him to still be tapped in. He still does a great job, just doesn't have the juice any more there
 
RHD is a lot simpler than most have been making it seem.

Chesley and Casey are locks. Rinzel is near a lock. Brzustewicz, Pohlkamp, and Leddy all have outside chances with probably one of them making it. Hensler no chance. Brown no chance. Minnetian no chance. Healey no chance (I think he should, but I digress), McCarthy no chance.

Doubt we take 5 RHD either. LHD is where it gets complicated.

Hutson a lock. I think Buium has become a near lock. The battle is for 1-2 spots.

Peters mentions Livanavage. I say no chance. Picking Livanavage would be the same mistake as last year. Cole Hutson is the same thing. No place for him on the team. Buium to begin with is more offensive-minded, so that last 1-2 LHD has to be defensive-minded. I think it comes down to Dorrington, Skahan, Fortescue, and Fischer for 1-2 spots. My order would be Skahan, Dorrington, Fischer, and then Fortescue.
 
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With the success that Michigan State and Wisconsin have had to start the year, will any of their 2004's like Cruz Lucius, William Whitelaw (2005), Gavin O'Connell and/or Patrick Geary earn camp invitations?
 
others know much more than I do, but I think Lucius makes the team and Whitelaw is on the fence.
 
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