Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two days of practices are in the books here as Team USA prepares for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey 2016.

The U.S. will face Canada at Nationwide Arena Friday (Sept. 9) in the first of its three pre-tournament games. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. and limited tickets remain.

Team USA’s first game in the World Cup of Hockey 2016 comes Sept. 17 in Toronto against Team Europe.

Today’s practice included 20 minutes with candidates to play on Team USA’s power play on the Ice Haus rink, while a full team practice followed on the Nationwide Arena ice.

The line combinations and defense pairings to start practice were the same as yesterday’s first skate and included: forward lines: Parise-Stepan-Wheeler ; Pacioretty-Pavelski-Kane; Abdelkader-Kesler-Oshie; vanRiemsdyk-Dubinsky-Backes-Palmieri; defense pairings: McDonagh-Carlson; Suter-Byfuglien; J. Johnson-Niskanen-E. Johnson; and goaltenders: Bishop-Quick-Schneider.

QUOTE TO REMEMBER

When asked following practice here today what his philosophy was in coaching Patrick Kane, the reigning NHL scoring champion and a member of Team USA for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey 2016, Head Coach John Tortorella said, “Stay out of his way.”

TIBBITS: Ohio State head men’s ice hockey coach Steve Rohlik, assistant coach Joe Exter and director of hockey operations Layne LeBel were at Team USA’s practice today … ESPN’s Linda Cohn arrived today and will conduct sit-down interviews with a number of Team USA’s players tomorrow … Team USA’s lunch following practice today consisted of tossed salad and chicken and beef fajitas.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH TEAM USA FORWARD JUSTIN ABDELKADER

Summer 2016 Highlight: Going to Hawaii for the first time. It was beautiful. We stayed on Waikiki Beach. It was really nice. They call it paradise for a reason.

Golf or Boating: Oooh, that’s a tough one. Would have to say boating though.

Advice You’d Give To Young Hockey Player: Have fun. Enjoy your teammates. Listen to your coaches. Also, do different things. You don’t want to be focused on just playing hockey. Being able to play different sports makes you an overall better athlete. There’s something to be said about that.

Last Concert You Attended: Mike Posner in Grand Rapids.

Latest Binge Watching: Stranger Things on Netflix. Just got through all eight episodes.