Welcoming Party

Following three flights, the U.S. landed in Chelyabinsk, Russia on Wednesday, April 11 at 4:05 a.m. local time and was greeted by members of the host committee at the Chelyabinsk Airport. The team loaded equipment and luggage onto the specially marked U.S. bus. Team USA also got in its first practice session in the afternoon following so much needed rest at the team hotel.

Keys To Success

U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team head coach Seth Appert (Cottage Grove, Minn.) pointed to remaining focused throughout the training camp and tournament at the key to success.

“Our focus is going to be on making sure that we play the way we need to play to be successful, not getting consumed with the distractions,” Appert said. “There are distractions. It’s a demanding trip, a different culture, different food, different hotel, things of that nature. I think it’s going to be real paramount that we avoid distractions, and stay very focused on the needs of the team.”