December 3, 2008
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Van Riemsdyk to Lead World Junior Team
CHN Staff Report
James van Riemsdyk and Colin Wilson are among 14 NCAA players named to this year's U.S. World Junior National team's 22-man roster. The U.S., looking to win its second gold medal — first since 2004 — is coached by former Boston College assistant Ron Rolston. The team will compete in the tournament in Ottawa, Ontario, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
Van Riemsdyk and Wilson were the top NCAA players taken in the last two NHL Drafts, respectively.
Only four of the 22 players were born in 1990, making it a veteran group, relatively. Of those, only Minnesota's Jordan Schroeder is currently in the NCAA, while Danny Kristo is slated to go to North Dakota next season.
Both goaltenders play in Major Junior, and both are new to the World Junior team, Thomas McCollum and Josh Unice. Unice was once part of the National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in Ann Arbor, and was committed to attend Bowling Green, before he withdrew for Major Junior.
The defense is bolstered by a pair of Notre Dame players, Ian Cole, who played for Team USA last year, and Ted Ruth. Also on defense are New Hampshire's Blake Kessel and Boston University's Kevin Shattenkirk. A couple of WCHA players add experience to the lineup, in Wisconsin's Ryan McDonagh and Minnesota's Cade Fairchild.
Nashville draft pick Jonathan Blum, who was also on Team USA last year and is a California native, rounds out the defense.
After van Riemsdyk, Wilson and the four aforementioned 1990s, the forwards are rounded out by seven more players, including Jim O'Brien, who left Minnesota for Major Junior after last season. Michigan teammates Matt Rust and Aaron Palushaj were named, along with Boston College's Jimmy Hayes and Minnesota's Mike Hoeffel.
