DECEMBER 18: Day 4

After three days of practices at OhioHealth Ice Haus, the U.S. National Junior Team held its first practice today at Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. 

NHL NETWORK TO BROADCAST GAMES
NHL Network, exclusive television home of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in the U.S., will televise live all U.S. games of the tournament and 28 games in total.
     In its 10th consecutive year televising the tournament, NHL Network’s coverage will begin with NHL Tonight: 2018 World Junior Championship Preview on December 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET, hosted by Tony Luftman, Dave Starman and Brian Lawton, followed by a special airing of Team USA’s win against Canada in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal game at 2:30 p.m. ET, and a highlight-filled recap of last year’s tournament on Top Shelf: 2017 World Junior Championship Edition at 5:30 p.m. ET.
     Paul Severino will call each Team USA game with longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starmanand reporter Jill Savage.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OETTINGER
Goaltender Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn./Boston University) rang in his birthday at Team USA's training camp for the second consecutive year. During the team dinner, teammates coordinated the restaurant to sing their own happy birthday song to Oettinger. 
     The 19-year-old is aiming to represent the U.S. for the fourth time in IIHF play and seeking a third gold medal with Team USA. Prior to being a part of last year's gold medal-winning team at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, Oettinger was a member of the 2015 U.S. Under-18 Mens' National Team that won gold at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship in Zug and Lucerne, Switzerland. He also earned a bronze medal with the 2016 U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team at the 2016 event in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

ANDERSON ON THE 'C'
Joey Anderson (Roseville, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth), who last night was named captain of the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team, met with media today for the first time as captain.
     "it's a huge honor," said Anderson. "There's been tons of great captains in USA history in this tournament and to be one of those guys it's an honor and a privilege and it's something I don't take lightly."

TAKE FIVE: OETTINGER, WOLL, SWAYMAN
Among the players competing for a spot on this year's U.S. National Junior Team are a trio of collegiate goaltenders in Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn./Boston University), Jeremy Swayman (Anchorage, Alaska/University of Maine) and Joseph Woll (St. Louis, Mo./Boston College). 

FAVORITE HOCKEY MEMORY:
Oettinger: NHL Draft last year
Swayman: Making U16 Select Camp 
Woll: Winning the 2017 World Junior Championship

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Oettinger: Shawshank Redemption
Swayman: Stepbrothers
Woll: Miracle

DREAM JOB:
Oettinger: Goalie Coach for Lakeville North
Swayman: Professional Downhill Skier
Woll: Astronaut

AMERICAN NHL PLAYER YOU ENJOY WATCHING MOST:
Oettinger: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Swayman: John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Woll: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

COLLEGE MAJOR:
Oettinger: Communications
Swayman: Business Management
Woll: Business