AUGSBURG, Germany – The U.S. Men’s National Select Team will face Slovakia here today in the opening game of the 2017 Deutschland Cup. Opening faceoff at Curt Frenzel Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET).
The game can be seen live by clicking here.
“We’re excited to play,” said Tony Granato, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Select Team and also head coach of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “We had two real good days of practice and look forward to seeing how we stack up against Slovakia today.”
The four-team Deutschland Cup tournament, which along with the U.S. and Slovakia includes host Germany and Russia, runs through Sunday. The tournament uses a round-robin format and the team with the most points is declared the tournament champion.
Team USA’s roster includes 28 players, 20 of which have played in the NHL at one point in their career.
Ryan Zapolski will start in goal today. In 24 games played with Jokerit of the KHL this season, he is 18-5-1 with a 1.42 goals against average and .945 save percentage.
The U.S. has participated in the Deutschland Cup nine previous times, including in 2002, 2003, 2004 and every odd year starting in 2005.
NOTES: Players and staff arrived Tuesday (Nov. 7) and Wednesday morning (Nov. 8) in advance of Team USA’s opening 90-minute practice here on Wednesday afternoon. The group also had a 90-minute skate on Thursday morning … A total of 22 players will dress for each game, including two goaltenders. Sean Backman, Drew Shore, Chad Kolarik, Tom Gilbert, Mark Stuart and Brandon Maxwell will not dress in today’s opening game vs. Slovakia … Brian Gionta is the captain of the U.S. Men's National Select Team. The alternate captains will rotate by game with Ryan Malone and Jim Slater serving as alternate captains for today's game vs. Slovakia ... The U.S. Olympic coaching staff, led by Tony Granato, is also guiding the 2017 U.S. Men’s National Select Team at the Deutschland Cup. Granato served as assistant coach for the U.S. team that played in the 2004 Deutschland Cup. Assistant coaches are Chris Chelios, Scott Young, Keith Allain and Ron Rolston … The U.S. enjoyed an authentic German meal at Ratskeller restaurant last night … The U.S. has won the Deutschland Cup on three occasions (2003, 2004, 2013), finished second four times (2002, 2007, 2009, 2015) and fourth once (2005, 2011) ... The Deutschland Cup is part of USA Hockey’s player evaluation process in selecting its 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.
2017 U.S. Men’s National Select Team
NHL Experience (listed by games played)
Brian Gionta 1006GP, 289-299—588
Tom Gilbert 655GP, 45-178—223
Mark Stuart 673GP, 26-67—93
Ryan Malone 647GP, 179-191—370
Jim Slater 584GP, 67-71—138
Matt Gilroy 225GP, 11-37—48
Mark Arcobello 139GP, 24-29—53
Jonathon Blum 110GP, 7-17—24
Drew Shore 94GP, 9-17—26
Dan Sexton 88GP, 13-19—32
Dylan Reese 78GP, 3-14—17
Noah Welch 75GP, 4-5—9
Matt Donovan 67GP, 2-17—19
Robbie Earl 47GP, 6-1—7
Bobby Sanguinetti 45GP, 2-4—6
Ryan Stoa 40GP, 4-3—7
Brian O’Neill 22GP, 0-2--2
Andy Miele 15GP, 0-2—2
Chad Billins 10GP, 0-3—3
Chad Kolarik 6GP, 0-1--1
Date | Opponent | Time (Local/ET)/Result | Location | Live Stream |
---|---|---|---|---|
Friday, Nov. 10 | Slovakia | 4 p.m./10 a.m. | Curt Frenzel Stadium Augsburg, Germany |
Live Stream |
Saturday, Nov. 11 | Russia | 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m. | Curt Frenzel Stadium Augsburg, Germany |
Live Stream |
Sunday, Nov. 12 | Germany | 4:45 p.m./10:45 a.m. | Curt Frenzel Stadium Augsburg, Germany |
Live Stream |