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2018 MWC Notebook: May 21

By USAHockey.com, 05/21/18, 3:00AM EDT

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Departure Day arrives as Team USA's 23-day journey in Denmark comes to close

The 2018 U.S. Men's National Team is in Denmark for the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship, which runs through May 20 in both Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark.

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May 21

Day 23

After 23 days in Denmark, including 19 in Herning and four in Copenhagen, players and staff of the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team said their goodbyes today as everyone went their separate ways. Most are returning to their homes in the United States, while a few are extending their time in Europe by visiting some neighboring countries.

Team USA Reflects on Bronze

WHAT IT MEANS TO SKATE FOR TEAM USA AT MEN'S WORLDS
Having represented the United States at an IIHF Men's World Championship for the third time, forward and two-time bronze medalist (2015, 2018) Anders Lee (Edina, Minn.) continues to appreciate the opportunity to do so in this tournament.
     “You show up on day one and don't know too many guys. I knew some from playing hockey together recently, but you make a ton of new friends. It’s a fun experience, you get to see the world a little bit, come over here and play a few games and to come home with a bronze medal is pretty rewarding.”

ONE LAST TEAM MEAL
After yesterday's 4-1 win over Canada in the bronze medal game, players and staff were joined by their families and guests at the team hotel for dinner and reception. Joining the team were three USA Hockey executives, including president Jim Smith, executive director Pat Kelleher and former executive director Dave Ogrean.
    Also present was Chris Chelios, a four-time U.S. Olympian and 1996 World Cup of Hockey winner who was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame yesterday morning. Chelios skated at the University of Wisconsin alongside Jim Johannson, the late assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, along with Jim's brother, John. The trio won an NCAA National Championship together in 1983 under U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame head coach Jeff Sauer. John was also here in Denmark with the team throughout its journey and had the honor of presenting each player with their bronze medal.

POST-MEAL SPEECHES END WITH KANE PRESENTING JOHANNSON WITH A MEDAL
At the conclusion of the team dinner, USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher addressed the players, staff and families before inviting USA Hockey president Jim Smith, general manager Bill Zito and captain Patrick Kane to the floor. Kane closed his speech by presenting John Johannson with a bronze medal. Following the medal presentation on the ice, Kane had also given John the bronze medal trophy to hold throughout the National Anthem.

HONORING JOHANNSON
Throughout the tournament, a common message to the team was to honor Jim Johannson, who had served on every U.S. Men's National Team since 2000. While the ultimate goal was a gold medal, players and staff are proud to be leaving not only with a bronze medal, but a performance on the ice that would have made Johannson proud.
     Alternate captain, Dylan Larkin: “This is a hard game to come out and play. We took a lot of pride. It speaks to the character in this room. It speaks for what we were playing for and it was something beyond ourselves. We really rallied this whole thing around JJ and we tried to honor him with our work ethic and passion for being Americans every day.”
     Forward Johnny Gaudreau: “With the passing of JJ, you know, everyone maybe tried to give a little more effort throughout this trip. Some big names guys came over to play for USA and It wasn’t the gold medal, but it was a medal and I think JJ’s pretty happy looking down on us right now."


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U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Round Result Location
Tues., May 1 Denmark Exhibition W, 3-2 KVIK Hockey Arena
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 4 Canada Preliminary W, 5-4 (SO) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 5 Denmark Preliminary W, 4-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Mon., May 7 Germany Preliminary W, 3-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 10 Latvia Preliminary W, 3-2 (OT) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 11 Korea Preliminary W, 13-1 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sun., May 13 Norway Preliminary W, 9-3 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Tues., May 15 Finland Preliminary L, 2-6 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 17 Czech Republic Quarterfinals W, 3-2 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 19 Sweden Semifinals L, 0-6 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark
Sun., May 20 Canada Bronze-Medal Game W, 4-1 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark

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