KOSICE, Slovakia – Hobey Baker Award winner Andy Miele laced up the skates as a member of Team USA for the first time at these World Championships in Saturday evening’s contest against France.

On his very first shift, approaching the ten-minute mark of the first period, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Miele, was clocked at center ice by 6-foot-4, 220-pound French forward, Luc Tardif, swiftly being knocked to the ice. Taking a moment to recover and get back on his feet, Miele would proceed to impress for the remainder of the night in an important 3-2 U.S. victory.

“I didn’t see it coming, but it woke me up a little bit and welcomed me to the tournament so that was nice,” said Miele immediately followong Saturday night’s win which improved the U.S. to 3-2 in the tournament standings. “You have to love the physical play and it was a lot of fun out there tonight.”

Miele led the nation this season in scoring in his senior year for the Miami University RedHawks tallying 24 goals and 47 assists.

“It’s been a long, but exciting year and a lot of fun being able to end it playing on Team USA is amazing,” said the 23-year-old forward about his tournament debut. “Hopefully, we can keep on rolling here and bring home a medal.”

Miele played more than 11 minutes and was a regular contributor on Team USA’s numerous power play opportunities. Just over five-minutes into the second period, the skillful forward moved from the left side of French goalie Cristobal Huet toward the slot and slid a perfect pass to Chris Kreider, who scored to give the U.S. a 3-1 lead, in what would ultimately become the game-winning goal.

“We were working it and we were due,” said Miele about the second period power play goal. “It’s very funny that I got the assist on a BC guy’s goal. I usually hate Boston College, they’ve knocked us out for so many years, but I was happy for Kreider to get that goal and happy for the team.”

“He made some of our best plays on the power play tonight and really contributed,” said U.S. head coach Scott Gordon. “That’s what we need, a skilled guy like that who can step in and make those plays.”

Team captain Mark Stuart echoed similar sentiments about Miele’s strong performance that also included taking face-offs, throwing his body around as well as a third period high sticking penalty.

“I’m not surprised because he’s a great player,” said Stuart about Miele’s performance. “We got here and in practice you can see his skill and his speed and he’s not afraid to go into the corners either. He’s a pretty gritty kid. I’m very happy that he got in there tonight and played pretty well for us.”

In attendance at the Steel Arena on Saturday evening was Andy’s father Jim.

“My Dad gave a fist pump in the hotel room when I told him I was playing,” said Andy. “He was really excited and happy for me and I’m sure my Mom is at home crying being able to watch the game.”

“I’m just so happy to see him step on the ice with that Team USA jersey,” said Jim Miele. “It’s a dream come true for him and both my wife and I are so proud of him.”

Miele, who recently finished his senior year at Miami University will venture to both development and rookie camps with the Phoenix Coyotes in the near future.

“Hopefully I can perform where they like what they see and hopefully start out with the team and be able to stay there all year.”

If tonight’s performance was any indication of what the future holds for the 23-year-old forward, the Coyotes will surely benefit from the skills, tenacity and talent of one of the outstanding young players in the nation. And for Miele, wearing the red, white and blue tonight in Slovakia was a thrill that he will remember for years to come.

“It’s the first time I’ve worn the Team USA jersey,” he said. “It felt pretty good. I might sleep in it tonight.”

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