The 2014 U.S. National Junior Team earned fifth place at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden. After finishing second in group play, Team USA lost to Russia, 5-3, in the quarterfinals.
TEAM USA IN THE PLAYOFFS
Since the playoff format was adopted for the IIHF World Junior Championship in 1996, the U.S. has qualified 17 out of 19 years, including 14 of the last 15 tournaments. From 1977-95, teams played each other once in a round robin format and medals were awarded based on final standings.
CONSISTENT CONTRIBUTORS
Captain Riley Barber and Nic Kerdiles tallied a point in all five games. Barber scored in each of the preliminary-round games and added his second assist of the tournament in the quarterfinals against Russia. Barber led the the U.S. with four goals and was second in points with six (4-2). Kerdiles had a team-high seven points (2-5). His five assists tied for the team lead. Complete Team USA game-by-game scoring is on page 4.
SCORING DEPTH
Nineteen Americans had a point in the tournament, including all 13 forwards. Twelve players have recorded a goal, led by Riley Barber, who had four markers, and Vince Hinostroza and Stefan Matteau, who had three apiece.
OFFENSE FROM DEFENSE
Team USA’s defensemen contributed six goals and 12 assists. Matt Grzelcyk was the tournament’s top scoring defenseman with six points (2-4). He tied for second on Team USA’s point chart. Will Butcher had five points (2-3), while Connor Carrick had three helpers.
SEE YOU IN MONTREAL
Seven players maintain eligibility for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship that will be held in Toronto and Montreal, Canada. Up front, Jack Eichel (1-4--5), Hudson Fasching (2-2--4) and Adam Erne (0-1--1) could return. The defensemen include Will Butcher (2-3--5), Ian McCoshen (0-0--0) and Steve Santini (1-0--1). Goaltender Thatcher Demko, who did not dress in 2014, rounds out the list.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2015
The 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held jointly in Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. USA will compete in Group A against host Canada, defending gold-medalist Finland, Germany and Slovakia. All Group A games will be played at Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens. Group B games will be played in Toronto's Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The group will include defending silver-medalist Sweden, defending bronze-medalist Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Denmark.
Toronto and Montreal will each host two of the cross-over quarterfinal games. Toronto will also host both semifinal games, medal games, and relegation games. A complete schedule of games will be announced later.
Group A (Montreal) | Group B (Toronto) |
---|---|
Finland | Sweden |
Canada | Russia |
USA | Czech Republic |
Slovakia | Switzerland |
Germany | Denmark |