BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – For the seventh time in eight years, Team USA reached the quarterfinals at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men’s Championship.

The U.S. fell short of earning a medal, with its journey ending last Wednesday (May 11) after a 4-0 loss to an experienced Czech Republic team in Bratislava.

Considering that head coach Scott Gordon’s squad averaged just over 24 years-of-age and 14 players made their U.S. Men’s National Team debut, the general consensus among the coaching staff and management team involved is that the future continues to look bright for hockey in the United States.

Despite the quarterfinal exit, it was surely a highly valuable international experience for the youthful group, which included three collegians.

“Playing in an environment like this you learn pretty quickly what this world stage means to all of these guys overseas,” said forward Blake Wheeler, 24, who contributed five points in seven games. “For us, obviously it’s bittersweet. We played pretty well for a lot of the tournament, but ultimately we wanted a medal.”

Ray Shero explained that the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group -- a seven-man collection of NHL GMs charged with selecting players and staff for all U.S. Men’s National Team of which Shero is a part of -- agreed to go with a youth movement in Slovakia; the aim of continuing to build and develop young talent.

“Part of the process here is identifying some of the younger players who are ready to make the next step and compete in consideration for the group in Sochi,” said Shero. “That said, our goal is to win a medal every time we participate in a world championship. Unfortunately we fell short of that goal this year.”

The eight-man U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, which also includes NHL GMs Brian Burke (Toronto), Dale Tallon (Florida), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville) and Atlanta Thrashers President Don Waddell, is charged with helping select players and staff for all U.S. Men’s National Teams. Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey, leads the group.

With the tournament spanning some three weeks, select members of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group along with Paul Fenton, associate general manager of the 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team and also the assistant general manager of the Nashville Predators, split time with the team. Tallon and Burke were with Team USA the front half of the tournament, before Fenton and Shero took over for the second half.

“It’s kind of interesting as you’re going through it, you get to see and hear what different guys think of certain players and match it up against your opinion to see what is going to fit,” said Fenton about collaborating with the advisory group and selecting the team. “Working with these guys, you see that their hearts are all in the right place and they want to succeed here.”

“When you can give these guys international experience, of course going to Sochi, but I’m thinking beyond that with some of these 20-year-olds,” continued Fenton, who represented the U.S. as a player in 1985 & 1989.

“For example, Craig Smith comes over here and turns some heads, including one of his bosses in me, and we’re saying that maybe he is that much closer to turning pro,” said Fenton, about the 21-year-old Smith. “He’s a terrific prospect.”

Smith, who will return to the University of Wisconsin in the fall for his junior year, was one of the pleasant surprises of this year’s bunch, contributing three goals and three assists.

“It’s been an absolute honor to play for USA Hockey and if I get a chance to do it again, I’m going to take it because you don’t know how many chances you’re going to get,” said Smith.

“Our team in Sochi should be veteran laden if you will, but these kids are all making their mark with USA Hockey and getting to represent their country in a great venue like this,” Fenton said. “I think going forward a lot of these kids will have the opportunity to make an Olympic team.”

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