WJC: 2024 Team USA Roster Talk

[WarriorofTime]

Does Hunter Brzustewicz make this team? I've never actually seen him play but my goodness he's off to a hot start with 19 points in 9 games in the O.

He is playing too well to leave off.

 

[Mathieukferland]

He is playing too well to leave off.

They left off Ty Voit last year, anything I’d possible if you’re playing outside of the country

 

[Jaykay]

Fowler vs Augustine is looking like it could be a real battle for starting goalie.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Fowler vs Augustine is looking like it could be a real battle for starting goalie.

Bring both, give them each a game and see where it goes. I personally like Fowler a bit more, but Augustine has higher draft positioning.

It's a nice problem to have. Both are among the three youngest goaltenders in NCAA and are playing very well for teams that are both currently ranked in the Top 8.

 

[William H Bonney]

Augustine will get the first shot given his experience but if he stumbles at all and Fowler shines, they better not be hesitant to change.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think Fowler's good. I'd have zero qualms if he's starting that he can do a good job.

However, I think Augustine is still the starter. Performed as well (or better) last season, they are .912 (Augustine) vs. .913 (Fowler) right now in college, Augustine already was the starter last year, and he has an extra year of eligibility to think about for this tournament that Fowler doesn't have.

If Augustine is struggling, turn to Fowler. I think Augustine should go in as the starter. Fowler also won a title last year, but Augustine won USAH a Gold Medal the last tournament he played. I don't see the sense in rocking the boat to start out.

Does anyone remember the year Knight was the starter with Wolf on his heels? The first game we lost and Knight struggled. Some fans (I might've been one of them) wanted us to turn to Wolf. We stuck with Knight, and he delivered a great Gold Medal performance against Canada. It ended up being the right decision.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

They left off Ty Voit last year, anything I’d possible if you’re playing outside of the country

The other difference is that there was a spot for Voit. They gave it to other players.

On this team, where is the spot for Brzustewicz? The same players that were ahead of him on the NTDP depth chart are going to be ahead of him on this depth chart. He's not going to be on the PP, so as good as the point totals are, they won't mean that much.

Is it possible he could beat out Rinzel for a spot? Yes, but I think Rinzel goes in with an advantage because he's bigger and this team needs size. The draft position difference doesn't hurt Rinzel either.

We might end up taking 4 right-shots. Even if we do though, are we sure he's ahead of Pohlkamp or one of the others?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Wouldn’t you expect them to take 4 RHD and 4 LHD?

 

[William H Bonney]

Wouldn’t you expect them to take 4 RHD and 4 LHD?

Not necessarily. They rarely have a balanced group.

2023 = 3 RHD, 5 LHD and 1 of the RHD never played
2022 = 2 RHD, 6 LHD
2021 = 3 RHD, 6 LHD
2020 = 1 RHD, 6 LHD
2019 = 2 RHD, 5 LHD
...and so on

So much of it is based on the available players, roles the staff is targeting, whether the staff sees certain players playing their off-hand side, etc. It's also rare when the RHD options are deeper than the LHD, so that will play a factor too.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Not necessarily. They rarely have a balanced group.

2023 = 3 RHD, 5 LHD and 1 of the RHD never played
2022 = 2 RHD, 6 LHD
2021 = 3 RHD, 6 LHD
2020 = 1 RHD, 6 LHD
2019 = 2 RHD, 5 LHD
...and so on

So much of it is based on the available players, roles the staff is targeting, whether the staff sees certain players playing their off-hand side, etc. It's also rare when the RHD options are deeper than the LHD, so that will play a factor too.

True. LHD are more used to playing on their off side than RHD.

 

[95snipes]

Fowler vs Augustine is looking like it could be a real battle for starting goalie.

I think Fowler's good. I'd have zero qualms if he's starting that he can do a good job.

However, I think Augustine is still the starter. Performed as well (or better) last season, they are .912 (Augustine) vs. .913 (Fowler) right now in college, Augustine already was the starter last year, and he has an extra year of eligibility to think about for this tournament that Fowler doesn't have.

If Augustine is struggling, turn to Fowler. I think Augustine should go in as the starter. Fowler also won a title last year, but Augustine won USAH a Gold Medal the last tournament he played. I don't see the sense in rocking the boat to start out.

Does anyone remember the year Knight was the starter with Wolf on his heels? The first game we lost and Knight struggled. Some fans (I might've been one of them) wanted us to turn to Wolf. We stuck with Knight, and he delivered a great Gold Medal performance against Canada. It ended up being the right decision.

Augustine has the pedigree. Returning starter. NTDP alum. Fowler has been much better to start the season though. If I was picking someone to win a game tomorrow, Fowler is my guy. Fowler was instrumental in BC taking down the defending champs Quinnipiac. Augustine had a horrible weekend against a low end Air Force. Got pulled game one and let in a softie game two. We'll see how things go tomorrow.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Augustine has the pedigree. Returning starter. NTDP alum. Fowler has been much better to start the season though. If I was picking someone to win a game tomorrow, Fowler is my guy. Fowler was instrumental in BC taking down the defending champs Quinnipiac. Augustine had a horrible weekend against a low end Air Force. Got pulled game one and let in a softie game two. We'll see how things go tomorrow.

I mean, we can nitpick here or there how they played in certain games, but we are talking about .001 of a difference so far this season. Doesn’t seem like a notable difference to me, regardless of the context.

 

[95snipes]

I mean, we can nitpick here or there how they played in certain games, but we are talking about .001 of a difference so far this season. Doesn’t seem like a notable difference to me, regardless of the context.

Two of Fowler's game's have been Quinnipiac and DU. Two contenders. Michigan State has had a cakewalk schedule so far.

I do expect Augustine to be the starter for game one. And if he performs well likely keeps it. But if I'm Carle, I go Fowler.

I will say... I've never been a huge Augustine guy so take that for what it's worth. I think you could argue he has more pro potential than Fowler. But I don't care who the better goalie will be 5 years from now.. I'm starting the guy who's better today. And that is Fowler IMO.

I will be watching closely tomorrow. For many reasons, but these two head to head will be interesting.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Augustine has the pedigree. Returning starter. NTDP alum. Fowler has been much better to start the season though. If I was picking someone to win a game tomorrow, Fowler is my guy. Fowler was instrumental in BC taking down the defending champs Quinnipiac. Augustine had a horrible weekend against a low end Air Force. Got pulled game one and let in a softie game two. We'll see how things go tomorrow.

Not a great night to be rooting for both goalies. Paging Andrew Oke??!!

 

[William H Bonney]

Not a great night to be rooting for both goalies. Paging Andrew Oke??!!

I know you're joking but they shouldn't even put Oke on the team as of now. He's not close to Augustine or Fowler and if he ends up playing in the tournament something has gone horribly wrong. Not that one has proven to be deserving so far but I'd rather see them invite an '06 goalie as the 3rd string to get a taste of the tournament and prepare to likely take over in the 2026 tournament when Augustine is no longer eligible. Small sample size but Nick Kempf has looked excellent to start the U18 season, whereas Jack Parsons has been horrific.

 

[95snipes]

Not a great night to be rooting for both goalies. Paging Andrew Oke??!!

I thought Augustine had a good game despite letting in 6 goals. He made some big saves in the first to keep the game within reach. I have a tough time putting too much blame on any of the goals.

First goal was a nice play by BC to thread the needle on the two on one.
Second was a backdoor play to Leonard.
Third goal was a breakaway.
Didn't love the 4th goal from Smith, you'd like to see him save that one.
5th goal was another nice play by BC off the rush.
6th goal was a 5 on 3 one timer

You'd like to see him save one or two of those, but I can't point fingers at Augustine.

Fowler was worse today. First goal was soft and didn't love the second goal. He was better in the 2nd period though and then was hardly tested in the 3rd. Overall felt shaky in net.

Entertaining game. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

On another note, I liked Perreault's game today. He should make the team.

 

[WarriorofTime]

On another note, I liked Perreault's game today. He should make the team.

I don’t see a spot for him. He should be there in 2025 though.

 

[William H Bonney]

On individual strengths and weaknesses, it's probably a tournament too early for Perreault. But I just don't see how you leave him home given Smith and Leonard will be there. The opportunity to leverage their built in chemistry, when so much of the success in this tournament is determined by which team quickly finds chemistry, is a risk. If Perreault makes the team and is overwhelmed, make him the 13th forward. I'd rather them take the chance and have him not be ready than not even try.

I say that as someone who's of the opinion that his lack of pace will be an issue at the WJC as an 18 year old.

 

[95snipes]

I don’t see a spot for him. He should be there in 2025 though.

Who are your left wingers?

I maintain Gauthier should be a center. He is more effective there and with Cooley gone, it's an easy decision.

McGroarty is a lock for one spot. That leaves 2 spots for 3 of Howard, Perreault, and potentially Eiserman. 4th line you want someone who brings more of a grind/physical dimension. Perreault has good chemistry with Smith and Howard has good chemistry with Nazar. Those combos work. But I said in the Eiserman thread, he's been so good I'd like to find a spot for him too. I'd guess he won't make it though.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

As a Rangers fan, I sadly say I don't think he should be on the team. Or if you wanna say he should on the team, it revolves around no Cooley and then Perreault probably ending up the 14th forward. Is the 14th forward really a big part of the team? I guess he can make it, but I don't see him playing games at this tournament.

He'd probably have to beat out Eiserman and Howard to think he'll get a top 9 role. He's not going to be on the 4th line. I think it's possible he beats out Eiserman and Howard, but probably not.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I like Perreault for this team more than Howard, to be honest. I’m not huge on Eiserman either.

 

[William H Bonney]

Fowler and Augustine both look dialed in after 1 in tonight's rematch. BC got 1 by Augustine but the Michigan State team left him out to dry on it, as they have on quite a few other chances.

 

[William H Bonney]

Tanner Adams is playing his way into strong consideration with 8 points in 6 games to open the NCAA season. He'd be under consideration for his versatility and dogged playing style; any offense would be a bonus. Interested to see if he maintains this pace in November.

 

[DinosaurBones]

USA has a silly deep team.
Gauthier - Smith - Snugg - McGroarty - Leonard - Brindley - Hagens - Nazar - Howard
and personally I think Perrault plays himself in there, but either way the extra guys theyre deciding on are still sick.
Hutson on D is massive, Chesley and Casey will be huge too.
2 Solid goalies which could end up causing a problem. I think they start with Aug but might split the first 2 games with Fowler. Augestines to lose though imo. But a good problem to have at this time, see how it plays out in the mean time.
Very good team

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

They left off Ty Voit last year, anything I’d possible if you’re playing outside of the country

Is there a case to be made for including Terrance or Musty or are they still a year away?