Two DU Players Named To USA Hockey National Junior Team


DU's Chris Butler and Geoff Paukovich have been named to the 2006 U.S. National Junior Team, released this morning by USA Hockey. Seventeen college players and one college recruit are among the 22 players named to the USA squad. The team will compete at the 2006 World Junior Championship in British Columbia from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. It's already been called by some, including Bob McKenzie of Canadian sports network TSN, the pre-tournament favorite to win the gold medal.

Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota have three selections each on the roster. Boston College and Denver each have two players on the team, while Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Ohio State and Wisconsin will also be represented. The team is comprised of players under the age of 2o
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It is something I've worked very hard for and I'm definitely excited. I set a goal to be part of that team," Butler said. "It is going to be quite an honor, and I'm looking forward to it."
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DU coach George Gwozdecky, whose team retained possession of the Gold Pan by sweeping Colorado College during the weekend, expects Butler and Paukovich to miss only two games if they join the national team. The two would miss the Wells Fargo Denver Cup, which begins Dec. 30.
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Junior Matt Carle missed six games when he helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the World Juniors two years ago in Finland.
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"These are the reasons our players come here - to play in big games," Gwozdecky said. "We hope they can bring a gold medal back like Matt Carle did a few years ago."

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I swear, every time I come here, I find more factual errors. Worst Reporter Ever. The WJC is for players under the age of 20, not 21.

dggoddard said...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're under the age of 20 you are also under the age of 21....

Anonymous said...

But if you are 20, you are too old to play in the WJC. So I am right and you are wrong.

Anonymous said...

Actually, the way it works is by birth year rather than birthday. This year, 1986-87-88 Birthdays are okay to compete, 1985 birthdays are too old.

So if you were born in early 1986 and turned 20 in early January 2006 while the tourney is still going, you are still eligible to compete...