WJC: 2024 Team USA Roster Talk

[SanDogBrewin]

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.

That's a tough lineup to play this early for Augustine. Watched both games and definitely saw too many open looks. Spartan D got caught pinching quite a bit.

 

[DinosaurBones]

I do have a question for someone who maybe is more familiar with the 2 of Fowler and Augestine. I know many thought and most likely still do think Aug will be the better goalie, but in drafts that doesnt always mean at this moment he is the better goalie.
So question is, is Augestine the better goalie (majority of opinion), or is he just expected to be better in the long run? Is Fowler possibly better at this current time, or is it too close and too early.
Genuinely curious mostly cause I dont know enough about Augestine

 

[William H Bonney]

I do have a question for someone who maybe is more familiar with the 2 of Fowler and Augestine. I know many thought and most likely still do think Aug will be the better goalie, but in drafts that doesnt always mean at this moment he is the better goalie.
So question is, is Augestine the better goalie (majority of opinion), or is he just expected to be better in the long run? Is Fowler possibly better at this current time, or is it too close and too early.
Genuinely curious mostly cause I dont know enough about Augestine

I think they're very close both in terms of current ability, performance up to this point, and status as prospects.

The big difference is Augustine has a history with USAH and has a leg up with international experience having started in two U18s and the last WJC. Augustine was poor in two of those tournaments though (2022 U18, 2023 WJC) but to be fair he was an underage in both. Fowler has only played in the WJAC as he was not chosen for the 2021 Hlinka or the 2022/2023 WJCs. Fowler absolutely should have at least been on the 2023 WJC team though, and in hindsight USAH leaving him off of the Hlinka team was huge miss as he went on to have an excellent USHL season that year, whereas the goalies they selected and played in the Hlinka were terrible and are still terrible.

 

[DinosaurBones]

I think they're very close both in terms of current ability, performance up to this point, and status as prospects.

The big difference is Augustine has a history with USAH and has a leg up with international experience having started in two U18s and the last WJC. Augustine was poor in two of those tournaments though (2022 U18, 2023 WJC) but to be fair he was an underage in both. Fowler has only played in the WJAC as he was not chosen for the 2021 Hlinka or the 2022/2023 WJCs. Fowler absolutely should have at least been on the 2023 WJC team though, and in hindsight USAH leaving him off of the Hlinka team was huge miss as he went on to have an excellent USHL season that season, whereas the goalies they selected and played in the Hlinka were terrible and are still terrible.

Okok interesting. Definitely a cool little inter squad competition going on, I like it

 

[William H Bonney]

Okok interesting. Definitely a cool little inter squad competition going on, I like it

Given the way USAH approaches things, I fully expect Augustine to be the defacto starter going into the tournament unless the wheels really fall off his game in the next 6+ weeks. But what I think they should do is rotate games between the two in the preliminary round until one of them takes or loses the starter role.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

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

Year away.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think they're very close both in terms of current ability, performance up to this point, and status as prospects.

The big difference is Augustine has a history with USAH and has a leg up with international experience having started in two U18s and the last WJC. Augustine was poor in two of those tournaments though (2022 U18, 2023 WJC) but to be fair he was an underage in both. Fowler has only played in the WJAC as he was not chosen for the 2021 Hlinka or the 2022/2023 WJCs. Fowler absolutely should have at least been on the 2023 WJC team though, and in hindsight USAH leaving him off of the Hlinka team was huge miss as he went on to have an excellent USHL season that year, whereas the goalies they selected and played in the Hlinka were terrible and are still terrible.

Only thing I’d add is that those two under-age tournaments you mention Augustine only had one “bad” game in each. The U18’s he was great until the final. Best goalie at that tournament up to that point. The U20’s he struggled in the 3rd place game, and the semis his numbers look bad (he was hung out to dry by his defense), but he beat out Mbereko for the starting spot early in that tournament. So I don’t know if USAH looks at those tournaments as ones he played poorly in. As expected of a good not amazing under-ager, he wasn’t consistent but had his share of good performances.

 

[William H Bonney]

Only thing I’d add is that those two under-age tournaments you mention Augustine only had one “bad” game in each. The U18’s he was great until the final. Best goalie at that tournament up to that point. The U20’s he struggled in the 3rd place game, and the semis his numbers look bad (he was hung out to dry by his defense), but he beat out Mbereko for the starting spot early in that tournament. So I don’t know if USAH looks at those tournaments as ones he played poorly in. As expected of a good not amazing under-ager, he wasn’t consistent but had his share of good performances.

He was bad in the WJC semis against Canada. The wheels fell off the whole team after they went up 2-0 though so it's not all on him. He was average in the IIRC Finland game at the 2023 U18 as well.

My biggest concern with Augustine is he's usually fallen apart in the biggest games. He quelled that fear a bit in the 2023 U18s but he should have performed well there playing against own age group on a pretty good team. And again, to be fair to him, it's a small sample size and in most of those big games he's been an underager, so it's not like it's some guarantee or anything that it will be any type of relevant narrative in the future.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He was bad in the WJC semis against Canada. The wheels fell off the whole team after they went up 2-0 though so it's not all on him.

I think that’s a little unfair. Most or all of those goals were prime scoring chances. No clearing the front of the net, tying up sticks, being responsible with the puck in your own end. We played with a very small and offensive defense and they met a team that could match and exceed them in that Canada game. Not a recipe for success.

I’m not saying he did well in that game. I just wouldn’t say you can put that on him. Sometimes the goaltender gives up a bunch of goals without playing a “bad” game.

 

[William H Bonney]

I think that’s a little unfair. Most or all of those goals were prime scoring chances. No clearing the front of the net, tying up sticks, being responsible with the puck in your own end. We played with a very small and offensive defense and they met a team that could match and exceed them in that Canada game. Not a recipe for success.

I’m not saying he did well in that game. I just wouldn’t say you can put that on him. Sometimes the goaltender gives up a bunch of goals without playing a “bad” game.

I'm not putting it on him. The whole team lost the game. Maybe calling him bad in that one is harsh but he was closer to bad than good. But Augustine was badly outplayed by Milic in that game and I expect a goalie to make some prime saves in a game. I agree that defensive core was poorly constructed and IIRC a lot of the goals against in that game were when the US inexplicably was putting out the Peart/Ufko pairing against the Bedard line. I think it was the case for 3-4 goals and they weren't even matching them all game. It was a horrific coaching display in that one.

 

[Jaykay]

Chesley hasn't been very good so far this year, most Gopher fans will tell you that Rinzel has been better. Which is great for him, but Chesley really needs to pick it up.

He will make the team either way but it's pretty discouraging.

 

[William H Bonney]

Chesley hasn't been very good so far this year, most Gopher fans will tell you that Rinzel has been better. Which is great for him, but Chesley really needs to pick it up.

He will make the team either way but it's pretty discouraging.

I haven't seen the Gophers yet. Is Rinzel playing well or more that he looks better because Chesley has struggled? Rinzel is the big wild card on defense.

 

[Jaykay]

I haven't seen the Gophers yet. Is Rinzel playing well or more that he looks better because Chesley has struggled? Rinzel is the big wild card on defense.

A lot of both; even as a first rounder, Rinzel has definitely exceeded expectations for a freshman D.

The rest of the D generally has struggled which isn't totally surprising after losing Faber, Lacombe, and Johnson and with Koster being out, but Chesley needs to be a lot better.

 

[Celebrini71]

I haven't seen the Gophers yet. Is Rinzel playing well or more that he looks better because Chesley has struggled? Rinzel is the big wild card on defense.

Rinzel has looked sharp...

 

[SK94]

Hunter Brzustewicz was a first rounder in my books and he may be the biggest steal from his draft class. I expect a big tournament from him.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Hunter Brzustewicz was a first rounder in my books and he may be the biggest steal from his draft class. I expect a big tournament from him.

Still very unlikely to make the team given the other (and older) RHD/Puck moving defensemen.

I also had him in my first round though. Unreal

 

[Krangers08]

Still very unlikely to make the team given the other (and older) RHD/Puck moving defensemen.

I also had him in my first round though. Unreal

He’s a late birthday so technically in the same age range. What’s going against him is that he’s playing in the OHL instead of staying in the states.

 

[William H Bonney]

He’s a late birthday so technically in the same age range. What’s going against him is that he’s playing in the OHL instead of staying in the states.

It's more that the RHD options are deep and there are already two RHD locks in Casey and Chesley.

If he was in the NCAA it would certainly help as hockey federations tend to defer to what they're familiar with but USAH is also more familiar with Brzustewicz than most of the CHLers usually under consideration.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

It's more that the RHD options are deep and there are already two RHD locks in Casey and Chesley.

If he was in the NCAA it would certainly help as hockey federations tend to defer to what they're familiar with but USAH is also more familiar with Brzustewicz than most of the CHLers usually under consideration.

Is Brzustewicz’ competition essentially Rinzel, Minnetian, and Borgesi ? Those 4 guys for one slot? Is that about correct?

Any chance for Jake Richard? I’ve liked his game. Probably plays the wrong position. Too much depth to find a spot?

 

[William H Bonney]

Is Brzustewicz’ competition essentially Rinzel, Minnetian, and Borgesi ? Those 4 guys for one slot? Is that about correct?

Any chance for Jake Richard? I’ve liked his game. Probably plays the wrong position. Too much depth to find a spot?

Most likely a year too early for Minnetian. Other RHD guys from summer camp would be Leddy, Pohlkamp, and Brown. Healey is another guy I think could get a look. Also, hard to know if the staff is considering an RHD to play their off side as well or whether they'll go heavier on RHD than LHD. Usually it's always the latter but mostly because RHD depth is almost always shallow, which is not the case this year.

I think people are underrating Leddy's chances given his size, defensive play, shot blocking, etc. which are always in demand, especially in a tournament where special teams are so important. And hopefully USAH learns their lesson from last year's tournament where they basically brought a defensive core of very similar players and it had them playing guys in roles they were not going to (and didn't) succeed in.

Haven't seen Richard this year so no idea there. Given how deep the forward group is you'd think he'd be fighting an uphill battle but USAH loves to go off the board on occasion.

 

[bigdog16]

Not sure Eiserman is ready for this tournament yet. His game is pretty much a train wreck unless the puck is on his stick. I think he would get seriously exposed here.

 

[SK94]

Trey Augustine
Jacob Fowler

Lane Hutson - Seamus Casey
Gavin McCarthy - Ryan Chesley
Andrew Strathmann - Sam Rinzel
Tyler Duke - Hunter Brzustewicz

Isaac Howard- Logan Cooley - Jimmy Snuggerud
Cole Eiserman - Cutter Gauthier - Frank Nazar
Rutger McGroarty - Will Smith - Gavin Brindley
Oliver Moore - Charlie Stramel - Ryan Leonard
Hagens/Perreault

This was my early prediction.

About month to go before the camp so here my updated line-up

Jacob Fowler
Trey Augustine
Hampton Slukynsky

Lane Hutson-Seamus Casey
Tyler Duke-Hunter Brzustewicz
Zeev Buium-Ryan Chesley
Fischer/Cleveland/Fortescue-Sam Rinzel

Isaac Howard-Rutger McGroarty-Jimmy Snuggerud
Oliver Moore-Cutter Gauthier-Frank Nazar
Gabe Perrault-Will Smith-Ryan Leonard
Cole Eiserman-James Hagens-Gavin Brindley
Kaplan/Lund/Richard

Tough cuts to be made. Guys like Healey, Brown, Leddy, Pohlkamp etc. easily could be there if they decide to take unbalanced D-group.

 

[sigx15]

Most likely a year too early for Minnetian. Other RHD guys from summer camp would be Leddy, Pohlkamp, and Brown. Healey is another guy I think could get a look. Also, hard to know if the staff is considering an RHD to play their off side as well or whether they'll go heavier on RHD than LHD. Usually it's always the latter but mostly because RHD depth is almost always shallow, which is not the case this year.

I think people are underrating Leddy's chances given his size, defensive play, shot blocking, etc. which are always in demand, especially in a tournament where special teams are so important. And hopefully USAH learns their lesson from last year's tournament where they basically brought a defensive core of very similar players and it had them playing guys in roles they were not going to (and didn't) succeed in.

Haven't seen Richard this year so no idea there. Given how deep the forward group is you'd think he'd be fighting an uphill battle but USAH loves to go off the board on occasion.

Leddy has been great for BC this year. He’s a really good penalty killer, blocks a ton of shots, really good first pass, very solid defensively. He’s been a big reason for BC being in the top 10 in pk% and shots against per game. I really hope he isn’t left off this team because this team needs players like him

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Trey Augustine
Jacob Fowler

Lane Hutson - Seamus Casey
Gavin McCarthy - Ryan Chesley
Andrew Strathmann - Sam Rinzel
Tyler Duke - Hunter Brzustewicz

Isaac Howard- Logan Cooley - Jimmy Snuggerud
Cole Eiserman - Cutter Gauthier - Frank Nazar
Rutger McGroarty - Will Smith - Gavin Brindley
Oliver Moore - Charlie Stramel - Ryan Leonard
Hagens/Perreault

This was my early prediction.

About month to go before the camp so here my updated line-up

Jacob Fowler
Trey Augustine
Hampton Slukynsky

Lane Hutson-Seamus Casey
Tyler Duke-Hunter Brzustewicz
Zeev Buium-Ryan Chesley
Fischer/Cleveland/Fortescue-Sam Rinzel

Isaac Howard-Rutger McGroarty-Jimmy Snuggerud
Oliver Moore-Cutter Gauthier-Frank Nazar
Gabe Perrault-Will Smith-Ryan Leonard
Cole Eiserman-James Hagens-Gavin Brindley
Kaplan/Lund/Richard

Tough cuts to be made. Guys like Healey, Brown, Leddy, Pohlkamp etc. easily could be there if they decide to take unbalanced D-group.

I think we need to try to have a much bigger defense this year and we shouldn’t be pairing small defensemen with small defensemen. I think this was the biggest reason we didn’t win Gold last year.

Someone like Tyler Duke is tough to select. He’d be one of the last onto the team, but he’s also very small, even if he plays a lot bigger than his size. Brzustewicz is another I’m not convinced is making this team. He’s been great in the OHL and he’s not small, but he’s 6’0 without much physicality and what he’s excelling at are the roles that are probably going to be filled by Hutson and Casey. The other element is the OHL part of it. I think that puts him at a disadvantage.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Perreault is a lock for this team, not sure what the issue is a few pages back with people being unsure.